A huge crowd gathers at the BJP Headquarters where the mortal remains of former the PM will be brought shortly. The funeral procession will leave the BJP headquarters at 1 pm and the last rites would be performed at 4 pm, BJP president Amit Shah, who is believed to be supervising the arrangements has said. Vajpayee (93) passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi last evening after a prolonged illness.


A 52-year-old man, Yogesh Kumar, who had arrived at Vajpayee's residence where his body had been lying in state for public viewing this morning, said he had travelled 500 km overnight.


"I had met Vajpayeeji in 1984 when he had visited Uttarkashi en route to Gangotri. He visited the town once again in 1986," Kumar claimed, as he displayed a picture of the Vajpayee with him. "I have also brought along Gangajal from Gangotri," he said, hoping to find an opportunity to see him. Another man, in his early 20s, said he had come all the way from Bihar to pay homage to the former prime minister. "I believe we have lost a great leader in him," he said. -- PTI