Odisha government declared a public holiday tomorrow and a seven-day state mourning as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee who passed away in New Delhi today, an official release said.
State Governor Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep grief over the demise of Vajpayee.
Patnaik, who had served as union minister for steel and mines in the Vajpayee government from March 1998 to March 2000 before assuming the office of Odisha chief minister, said: "It is a great national loss today as much as a personal loss for me."
Stating that he will always cherish the association with Vajpayee, Patnaik said "I will remember my initial years in politics. He (Vajpayee) embodied a unique combination of grace, idealism and tolerance in politics."
"It is truly the end of an era. Vajpayeeji had a large heart with a special corner for Odisha, a love that it was equally reciprocated by the people of Odisha. We will miss you Vajpayeeji," Patnaik, president of ruling Biju Janata Dal,
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