Describing Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a "father figure", Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said the void left by the former prime minister's death could never be filled. In a brief televised address, Modi said through his leadership and struggles, Vajpayee had strengthened the Jan Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"He took these parties to every part of India and spread the policies and philosophy of the BJP to the people," he added. Modi said he had lost a "father figure" today. "Atalji taught me valuable aspects about 'sangathan' (organisation) and 'shaasan' (administration)," he added. The prime minister said whenever he met Vajpayee, the latter hugged him with affection. "We have lost our inspiration. We have lost an 'Atal Ratna'. The personality of Atalji and the sadness due to his demise cannot be described in words. The void cannot be filled ever," he added.