Maharashtra Guv mourns death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao today mourned the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, describing him as India's "most admired and respected" 'Bhishma Pitamah' of public life.

Rao, who had served as Union Minister of State for Home, Industry, and Commerce in the Vajpayee government between 1999 and 2004, also remembered the latter as one of the most towering political geniuses to have dominated the political space in India after Independence.

"He was a consummate Parliamentarian, an astute statesman, an orator par excellence and a warm-hearted a person," a statement quoted Rao as saying.

"In his demise, India has lost the most admired and respected 'Bhishma Pitamah' of public life; while I have lost my dearest leader," he added. Rao noted that the country had asserted her rightful position as a global leader under Vajpayee's leadership. "At the personal level, Vajpayee Ji was an idol and my main inspiration to enter into public life," he said.

The Governor's office also shared pictures of Rao addressing a rally in the presence of Vajpayee at Telangana's Karimnagar in 1975. Vajpayee died at the AIIMS hospital in Delhi this evening at the age of 93 following a prolonged illness.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar expressed grief over Vajpayee's demise and said the country has lost a "parliamentarian mascot, a most-trusted and the respected leader and the finest orator". He said Vajpayee had a lion's share in maintaining the alliance between the Sena and the BJP.

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