Leaders make beeline to pay respects to Vajpayee

New Delhi: When the news regarding the critical health condition of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee broke out from AIIMS, the hospital witnessed a beeline of leaders and other prominent personalities. The leaders, cutting across the party line, were seen inquiring about the health condition and wished for fast recovery of the former PM. The visitors, apart from the political clan, were also seen gathering in and around the hospital to get the latest updates about the beloved leader whose demise was announced by the hospital administration around 5.05 pm.

According to a report released by AIIMS, former PM Atal Bihar Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS at its Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre with a Urinary tract infection, kidney tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion on June 11. "Both his lungs are not in good condition because of pneumonia on both sides and his kidneys are also very weak. He is critical," a source told on Thursday.

The three-time prime minister had retired from public life after his health turned frail and was under the supervision of Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS.

For over three decades, Dr. Guleria, a pulmonologist, had served as personal physician to Vajpayee. Moreover, a team of doctors from the nephrology, gastroenterology, pulmonology and cardiology departments is keeping a round-the-clock check on the ailing leader.

However, the ailing patients and their attendants at the hospital were seen wishing him for good health. Amidst barriers for VIP movements, several leaders kept showing up, including LK Advani, BJP President Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and many others.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former UP Chief Minister Mayawati and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee also reached AIIMS to inquire about the health condition of Vajpayee. On Thursday morning, a health bulletin of former Prime Minister was issued by the premier hospital.

It was informed that there was no improvement in the condition of the former PM, rather his condition had turned fragile and is on the life support system. The hospital also decided to call the close relatives of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The BJP had cancelled all its programs for the day.

Meanwhile, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has requested his party volunteers not to celebrate his birthday in view of the deteriorating health condition of the former prime minister. He has requested the volunteers to refrain from visiting his residence, according to reports.

According to the report, Vajpayee's body will be taken to the BJP office tomorrow, where the public can pay homage, followed by cremation before the sunset at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal. Army officials have confirmed that gun carriage is ready for the former prime minister's mortal remains, news reports suggest.

"He was a real 'Ajatha shatruvu' (One who has no enemies), who got along with people from all sections. He was the first non-Congress PM, an able leader and provided a stable government. He practiced politics of principles and infused values into politics," said Vainkiah Naidu, Vice-President of India. While security outside the hospital and Atal Bihari Vajpayee's residence in Delhi has been beefed up, traffic has also been blocked and no new entries are being allowed inside the hospital premises.