Vajpayee turns 86

Former Prime Minister and BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee turned 86 with several leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, turning up at his residence in New Delhi to greet him.

Former Prime Minister and BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee turned 86 on Friday with several leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, turning up at his residence in New Delhi to greet him.

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The Prime Minister reached Vajpayee's Krishna Menon Marg residence to wish him on his birthday.

Earlier, former BJP president Rajnath Singh and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley greeted him.

Former Union Minister Vijay Goel and former National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra also met Vajpayee.

Former Union minister and Rajya Sabha MP Arun Shourie was the first senior leader to reach Vajpayee's residence.

Rajesh Gehlot, a fan of Vajpayee, came with a 186-feet long roll of 160 posters to greet the BJP leader.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yedyyurappa also met Vajpayee on the occasion. Vajpayee's nephew Anup Mishra, who is a minister in Madhya Pradesh, also greeted the veteran leader.

Rajnath Singh later told reporters that he greeted Vajpayee on his birthday and wished him speedy recovery.

Vajpayee has not been keeping well for sometime now and did not contested the 2009 Lok Sabha election.