Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary, praising him for his unparalleled contribution to nation-building. “Tributes to Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. He is remembered by countless people for his unparalleled contribution to nation-building. He devoted his entire life to ensuring that our fellow citizens lead a better quality of life. We will keep working to fulfill his vision for India. Paid homage to him at ‘Sadaiv Atal’ this morning, along with other distinguished dignitaries,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary noted that the country remembers former PM Vajpayee for his work for the nation. “It’s a day of solemn remembrance. The whole nation remembers him for his work for the nation. He worked for all sections of society,” he said.
Union Minister Harsh Malhotra praised Vajpayee for transforming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and changing the course of governance in the country. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the man of the century. He not only transformed the BJP but also changed the course of governance in the country. He was the best statesman. He was not just a leader of his party; he was a people’s leader,” Malhotra said.
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Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu, along with PM Modi and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, paid tributes to former PM Vajpayee on his death anniversary at a prayer meeting at ‘Sadaiv Atal’ in Delhi. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and other Cabinet members also attended the prayer meeting at the memorial dedicated to the former prime minister.
Vajpayee’s foster daughter, Namita Kaul Bhattacharya, arrived at ‘Sadaiv Atal’ to pay her floral tribute on the death anniversary. Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was also present at the memorial and paid tribute to former PM Vajpayee.
The official BJP handle posted on X, “Tribute to former Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna, our source of inspiration, respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his death anniversary.”
Union Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to former PM Vajpayee, highlighting his strategic and economic strengthening of the country. “Whenever there is talk of political purity, loyalty towards national interest, and steadfastness towards principles in the country, Atal ji will be remembered. On one hand, through the establishment of the BJP, he popularized the ideology of national interest, while as Prime Minister, he strengthened the country strategically and economically. I pay my heartfelt tributes to Bharat Ratna’s respected Atal ji on his death anniversary,” Shah posted on X.
Born in Gwalior in 1924, Vajpayee was a prominent face of the BJP for decades and was the first non-Congress prime minister to serve a full term in office. He served as the Prime Minister of India from May 16, 1996, to June 1, 1996, and again from March 19, 1998, to May 22, 2004. He also served as India’s External Affairs Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Moraji Desai from 1977 to 1979. Vajpayee passed away at AIIMS Hospital in Delhi on August 16, 2018.
(WITH INPUTS FROM ANI)
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