J'khand govt mourns Vajpayee's loss

Jharkhand government mourning the death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has announced a state holiday tomorrow.

Jharkhand, which came into being during Vajpayee's tenure, also announced a seven-day state mourning, an official release said.

Governor Droupadi Murmu, Chief Minister Raghubar Das, Speaker Dinesh Oraon and other leaders today expressed deep sorrow at Vajpayee's death.

In her condolence message, the governor said Vajpayee was popular not only in India but also in the world and was respected by even opposition leaders.

Murmu said he was known as a successful creator of coalition politics, never used disrespectful language and dedicated his life for the uplift and welfare of the country and mentioned the quadrilateral roads, Sarva Sikhsa Abhiyan, self-help groups, womens uplift and rural road works taken during his time.

She said Vajpayee had taken brave intiatives like the Pokhran tests and the Kargil victory, which boosted the morale of the armed forces, came during his time.

"He was a great political leader of the age, poet, journalist and orator," she said adding Vajpayees death will be deeply felt.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das said he was saddened with the death of Vajpayee. "I lost a guru akin to my father."