Former prime minister and BJP patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders, died following prolonged illness today, AIIMS hospital announced. He was 93.

"It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of former Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at 5.05 pm," the hospital said in a statement.

The BJP veteran was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences here on June 11 with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion.