Sonia Gandhi said that Vajpayee stood for democratic values throughout his life.
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on Thursday evening following a long illness.
One of Vajpayee's biggest political rival UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi paid tribute to the three-time prime minister. She said that Vajpayee stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts throughout his life.
She also praised him as "a spell-binding orator, a leader of great vision, a patriot to the core for whom the national interest was paramount."
Here's full statement by Sonia Gandhi:
I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Shri Vajpayee was a towering figure in our national life. Throughout his life, he stood for democratic values and demonstrated this commitment in all his acts, whether as a parliamentarian, a cabinet minister, or Prime Minister of India. He was a spell-binding orator, a leader of great vision, a patriot to the core for whom the national interest was paramount. But above all, he was a man with a very large heart and a real spirit of magnanimity. One saw that in all his interactions -- with other political parties and their leaders, with foreign governments, with coalition partners, and indeed with his own political colleagues, whom he always treated with respect and courtesy.
His warm personality and his gift of friendship won him admirers and friends across the political spectrum and from every walk of life. His death leaves behind a huge void. I join millions of our fellow Indians in mourning his loss and pray for the departed soul.
Reacting to the demise of Vajpayee, Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to express his condolences.
Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "Today India has lost its great son. Former PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, was loved and respected by millions. My condolences to his family and all his admirers. We will miss him."
Former PM Mammohan Singh said, "I have learnt with profound sorrow about the sad demise of Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. An excellent orator, an impressive poet, an exceptional Public Servant, an outstanding Parliamentarian and a great Prime Minister, Shri Vajpayee ji stood among the tallest leaders of modern India, who spent his whole life serving our great country. His services to our nation will be remembered for a long time to come."
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