Shillong, Aug 17: Former Prime Minister of India and the BJP’s tallest leader and co-founder Atal Bihari Vajpayee was laid to rest at Smriti Sthal in Delhi. Vajpayee, 93 passed away at 5.05 pm on Thursday after a prolonged struggle with illness. The funeral procession started at 2 pm from the BJP headquarters.

Vajpayee was laid to rest at 4.58 pm according to Hindu rituals. Earlier, his mortal remains were offered a full state ceremonial salute. President Ram Nath Kovind, a teary-eyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior leaders from across party lines and from across the world, paid tributes to the late leader. The iconic politician and poet had been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) since June 11 where he was being treated for kidney-related ailments and chest congestion, and where he breathed his last. His mortal remains were kept at his official residence in New Delhi through the night, where political leaders cutting across party lines paid last respects to the beloved leader.

At 4.58 pm, the former Prime Minister was laid to rest. The funeral pyre was lit by his adopted daughter Namita. A teary-eyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders of the BJP bid adieu to their beloved leader.

The last rites were performed by his adopted daughter, Namita Bhattacharya at the Smriti Sthal.Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Sri Lanka acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella pay last respects to the former Prime Minister. “We are here to share your grief and pay our condolences on the behalf of people of Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan,” Pakistan Law Minister Ali Zafar said after arriving in Delhi for the funeral of former PMAt 4.10 pm, the President Ram Nath Kovind laid a wreath at the funeral site of the former Prime Minister followed by a ceremonial salute. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also laid a wreath at the funeral site. He along with BJP chief Amit Shah accompanied the procession from the BJP Headquarter.Poet, politician, visionary, he left his mark on India’s history. His name remains linked to the Indo-French friendship, which he shaped by launching the strategic partnership that has united the two countries since 1998: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje, former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi at Smriti Sthal.

As a mark of respect to late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, all government offices and all educational institutions in various states including states in the North Eastern Region remain closed on Friday.

In Meghalaya, the state government has declared a state holiday on Friday as a mark of respect to the former Prime Minister.

From Meghalaya, home minister, James K. Sangma attended the funeral of the late leader in Delhi.

Health Minister, A.L. Hek, who is also the BJP MLA attended the funeral and paid his tribute to the former Prime Minister.

Meghalaya Governor, Ganga Prasad, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma conveyed their condolences as they recalled the life and contributions of late Vajpayee as Prime Minister.

“The nation has lost an able parliamentarian, a statesman par excellence, and an extra ordinary human being. The nation will gratefully remember his phenomenal contributions during his stint as the Prime Minister of India between 1999 and 2004 – the Pokhran nuclear test, his role during the Kargil War, and the initiation of the Golden Quadrilateral being the most notable of them.” the Governor said.

Conrad said that under Vajpayee leadership, the Centre created the ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region to ensure all round development in the Northeast, besides the East-West corridor connecting Assam’s Silchar with Gujarat’s Porbandar and many more.

“On behalf of the people of Meghalaya and from the family members of my late father Purno Agitok Sangma, I send our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family members,” Conrad said.