Puducherry Lt Guv, CM condole Vajpayee's demise

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today condoled the death of former prime minister A B Vajpayee.

Bedi said that in the death of Vajpayee, the country has lost a stalwart and a very good human being.

"India loses a stalwart and a very good human being who adorned the highest executive position...A thorough Gentleman. Most respectful of public officials. He respected our view points and supported what was right," Bedi, a former IPS officer, tweeted.

Narayanasamy said Vajpayee was a great statesman, a powerful orator, a champion of the principles ofnational integration and agood parliamentarian.

"He had made a mark in the political and administrative history of the nation; his death is a big loss," the chief minister said.

President of Puducherry unit of BJP V Saminathan recalled the sterling qualities of Vajpayee and his contributions to the development of the nation.

Earlier, a tea party hosted by the union territory government in honour of freedom fighters as part of the celebrations of the merger of the then French colony with the Indian Union was cancelled as the news of Vajpayee's death was received.

Narayanasamy, who was the chief guest, and all others, including freedom fighters, present at the venue stood in silence for a few minutes in memory of Vajpayee.