Vajpayee's ashes handed over to BJP state heads for immersion in 100 rivers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders handed urns with former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes to party presidents from across the country at a function in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Party chief Amit Shah, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. as well as members of Vajpayee's family, were present at the event held in the BJP headquarters here.

The BJP has decided to take out 'asthi kalash yatras' in all districts and immerse the ashes in rivers across the country.

The yatra was being organised as party workers and people in the country wanted to pay tribute to the late prime minister, who died last week after prolonged illness at the age of 93, party leaders said.

Vajpayee's health continues to remain critical, on life support: AIIMS

Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition continues to remain critical, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said in a statement on Thursday. Vajpayee's health worsened on Wednesday and he is on life support system.

"Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Health condition continues to remain the same. He is critical and on life support systems," the statement by the hospital read.
Senior BJP leaders Lal Krishna Advani, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh paid visits to the AIIMS on Thursday to enquire about the health of the former prime minister.
Earlier in the morning, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited AIIMS to enquire about the condition of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has been undergoing treatment at the premier institute.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress president Rahul Gandhi are expected to visit the premier medical institute soon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited AIIMS on Wednesday at around 7:15 pm in the evening to enquire about the health condition of Vajpayee. After Modi, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi also paid a visit.