Three-time Indian prime minister dies at 93
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died after nine weeks in hospital due to serious health problems.
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Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Photo:NDTV |
According toNew Straits TimesMr Vajpayee's health had been failing for years but recently took a turn for the worse. The former prime minister was admitted to hospital in New Delhi nine weeks ago after suffering health complications.
"Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he required life support. Despite our best efforts, he passed away today. We share the nation's deep sadness at this great loss," the hospital said in a statement.
"The passing away of Atal Ji is a personal and irreplaceable loss for me," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Twitter.Twittertoday. "Atal Ji's exemplary leadership laid the foundation for a strong, prosperous India in the 21st century".
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, and is a former journalist, poet and politician who laid the foundation for the growth of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the current ruling party in India.
He served as Prime Minister of India three times from1996 to 2004. In 1998, Vajpayee shocked the world by ordering underground nuclear tests to make India a nuclear weapons power.
It was also India's first nuclear test since 1974. The tests were conducted without any warning to the international community, causing criticism and concern. However, in India, he was hailed as a hero, a leader who valued national security and was unafraid of international pressure.
