Never thought I would have to address a meeting without Atalji: LK Advani

He further said, "I consider myself fortunate that my friendship with Atalji lasted for 65 years during which I watched him closely. Working together, we shared our experiences, watched films together and read books together".

A prayer meet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was organised in Delhi on Monday. The meeting was attended by Union Minister Rajnath Singh, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, senior BJP leader LK Advani and former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah, Yoga Guru Ramdev.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee's daughter Namita Bhattacharya and his granddaughter Niharika were also present at the meeting.

Speaking at the event Prime Minister Modi said that the life of former PM is an inspiration for all Indians as he dedicated his entire life to democracy and to the country.

PM Modi said, "Atal Ji's life was for the people of India. In his youth itself, he had decided that he wanted to serve his fellow Indians. He entered politics when only one party dominated the political discourse".

He further added, "When he formed the government for 13 days, no party was willing to support him. As a result government fell. Yesterday, Bajrang Punia, who I think has never seen him dedicated his gold medal to Atal ji, I think this says a lot about his personality".

PM Modi said that Atal Ji never compromised on his ideology and served the nation despite many hurdles. He also said that he challenged the world to take notice of India.

He said, "He spent several years in opposition, but never compromised his ideology. His efforts ensured that India became a nuclear power and attributed the tests to the brilliance of our scientists. He never buckled under pressure. He was Atal after all".

Addressing the meet, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "He did not become popular because he was the PM. I think he would have been as popular as he was after being the PM, had he worked in any social or political sector".

BJP President Amit Shah said, "Atal ji had a multifaceted personality. Besides being an 'ajatshatru' he was a great poet, journalist and politician who never let the party deviate from the path of its ideology".

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat said, "Atal ji's words and his life...be it someone who watched him closely or saw him from far away, everyone found him to be the same and believed in him".

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "Even after his death he has brought us together in one room, which is great. When I was a minister & he was leader of opposition , we used to have lunch & tea in each others office. It was not that difficult in those days".

TMC leader Derek O'Brien said, " If you look for definition of certain words, you have to look in the dictionary. But there's one word you don't need to look in dictionary...if you look at his face you will get the meaning of the word 'secular'. There are many communities around the world, when someone passes away they always write RIP which means 'Rest in Peace' but maybe after 16th Aug 2018 RIP for this great man will mean 'Really Incredible Person'.

Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah said, "Wo Wazire-e-Azam nahi Hindustan ke dilon ke maalik they. He was large-hearted. No one had a heart like him".

Yoga guru Ramdev said,"As long as he was alive he made Bharat Mata proud and he has set such an example that he will be remembered for the ages to come".

Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti said, "He was a great human being but for the people of Jammu and Kashmir he was not less than a Messiah. He was the first Indian leader who trusted the people of J&K and whom the people trusted. This was Vajpayee ji who went to Pakistan and made Musharraf sahab say that they will not use the land of Jammu and Kashmir for militancy".

BSP leader S Mishra said, "Although he was poetic and generous at heart, he took strong decisions, like nuclear test and Kargil war for the nation. He was loved and respected by the ruling party as well as opposition. We need to follow his principles to spread peace and harmony".

Loktantrik Janata Dal party leader Sharad Yadav said, "He led an absolutely unblemished life. He had a unique style. He never worried about food, lifestyle or any other thing. I pay my tributes to such a man full of love and humanity".

AIADMK leader, M. Thambi Durai said, "We mourn the loss of a great nationalist, a poet, a statesman, a veteran parliamentarian for decades and above all , a gentleman to the core, the former Prime Minister of India, Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee".

(With inputs from agencies)