Modi, Sonia pay tributes to former PM Vajpayee at his residence; cremation to take place at Smriti Sthal
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former PM Manmohan Singh and several others visited Vajpayee's residence to pay their tributes to the departed leader
The mortal remains of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeewerebrought to his home at Krishna Menon Marg in Delhi amid heavy security on Thursday.
Vajpayee had passed away at AIIMS in the evening after being in the Delhi hospital for over two months.
Many dignitaries and political leaders gathered to pay their last respects to the leader whose body is wrapped in India's tricolour.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former PM Manmohan Singh, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and several others visited Vajpayee's residence to pay their tributes to the departed leader
The Union Cabinet has approved a seven-day mourning period till August 22 for Vajpayee. A half-day holiday has been declared in the afternoon for all central government offices and CPSUs across the country and Delhi government offices.
The national flag will fly at half-mast throughout India and Indian missions abroad till August 22.
He will be given a state funeral at Smriti Sthal.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee's mortal remains will be kept at his home for paying people to pay their tributes between 7.30am and 8.30am on Fridaymorning, and will then be taken to the BJP headquarters at 9am, said BJP president Amit Shah.
Vajpayee's funeral will be held at 4 pm on Friday, with state honours, added Shah.