Gigantic loss for nation: Ahmed Patel on Vajpayee's death

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel condoled today the death of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying it was a "gigantic loss" for the nation.

Patel said the BJP stalwart, a three-time Prime Minister, was a great believer in democracy.

"Vajpayee ji was a builder of consensus, a believer in democracy & harbinger of peace. He showed India that even in compassion there can be strength & difference of opinion can be held with dignity.

"His demise is a gigantic loss for the nation," Patel, a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, said in a tweet.

Vajpayee (93) died at the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi after a prolonged illness.