Mourners from across the country gathered in the national Capital on Friday to say their last goodbyes, as the procession of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee made its way from the BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, making its way past Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and then on to Rajghat for the last rites of the poet-politician at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal.
As the crowd jostled along the road leading to the party headquarters, some people climbed on to the neem trees lining the roads just to capture the phenomena on their mobile phones. A long line of politicians paying their respects meant that the lines outside the party's newly-constructed office started getting longer. By the time top BJP leaders paid their homage to the departed, the DDU Marg and other roads leading to the BJP HQ were bursting at seams and people were trying to force their way to have a last glimpse of their beloved leader.
Nothing would deter them as they bereaved their leader - sweating in sultry weather without food and water. While all eyes were moist, scores of people failed to hold back their tears and be seen crying like a child.
Unable to find their way in, the crowd started getting restless trying to push open the gates. But the security protocol associated with the Prime Minister prevented them from entering.
Among sea of mourners was Anuj Gupta, who was in school when Vajpayee was in his political prime. Gupta, in his twenties now, had travelled from Gwalior to the party headquarters waiting in line to pay his last respects. He remembers being enthralled by the poet-politician when he was delivering a speech in Gwalior, which was his hometown. "I read his poems and became an ardent fan. I still get goosebumps when I listen to his speeches or poems. I have been standing here since morning hoping to pay my respects to the great leader," says Gupta.
Gurgaon-based Manoj Sehrawat, too, was waiting since early morning with the hopes of a glimpse of the mortal remains of the former prime minister. "In my mind, Atalji's passing is the biggest loss not only for the party but for the nation. I think he was the last of the great leaders who commanded respect from all quarters because of his simple and good nature," said Sehrawat.
Delhi resident Purva Singh, who hails from Lucknow, said that the city considered him as their own. "He is loved by each and everyone in Lucknow, where I come from. We consider him as our own as he won five Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow and visited his constituency regularly. Anyone can learn a lot from Vajpayeeji's qualities. The politics today need gentle yet strong leaders like him," she said.
Frenzied In Love
- Crowd jostled along the road leading to the BJP HQ, some people climbed on to the neem trees lining the roads just to capture the phenomena on their mobile phones.
- By the time top BJP leaders paid their homage, the roads were bursting and people were trying to force their way to have a last glimpse of their beloved leader.
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 "Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s coffin")
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