New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) Paying glowing tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the departed leader spent several years in Opposition but not once did he compromise on his ideology.
'When Atal Ji formed the government for 13 days, no party was willing to support him. The Government fell,' Mr Modi said on Monday.
"There were moments of political untouchability....he was truly a Mahapusrush, who lived in Opposition party for long and remained firm with his conviction about democratic values," the Prime Minister said.
Vajpayee did not lose hope and remained committed to serving the people of the country, the Prime Minister said addressing an all party prayer meeting for the BJP patriarch at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here.
'Vajpayee distinguished himself as a Parliamentarian and was proud of our Parliamentary traditions,' Mr Modi said, adding that Vajpayee showed the way when it came to coalition politics.
He said Vajpayee as Prime Minister created three states -- Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand -- which are prospering well, Mr Modi said, adding that the process of creating these states was peaceful and without bitterness.
"Weh nam se Atal they aisa nahi...(He was not only Atal by name but displayed his determination)," the Prime Minister said and referred to the bold decision of conducting nuclear tests on May 11, 1998.
'Atal Ji's efforts ensured Indian became a nuclear power. He attributed the tests of May 11, 1998 to the brilliance of our scientists. Two days later, India tested again and showed what a strong political leadership can do. He never buckled under pressure,' Mr Modi said.
He was Atal after all, he said.
Mr Modi said Late Vajpayee lived every moment of his life and dedicated his life to the cause of the common people and the downtrodden section of the society.
'Atalji's life was for the people of India. In his youth itself, he decided that he wanted to serve his fellow Indians,' he said
He entered politics when only one party held sway over the political discourse, he stated.
Mr Modi said when some were cornering India on the Kashmir issue, it was Vajpayee Ji who changed the narrative.
'Due to Vajpayee ji, terrorism became an important issue at the world stage,' he said.
Mr Modi said he was one of the crores of karyakartas who had the opportunity to work with him and the biggest tribute will be to follow in his steps.
He said 'yesterday athlete Bajrang Punia won the Gold, which was country's first in 2018 Asian Games. He dedicated the medal to Atal Ji.
'I do not think Bajrang would have had the opportunity to closely interact with Atal Ji or see him but such was Atal Ji's respect that every Indian is inspired by him,' Mr Modi said.
Such was the height and success of Vajpayee's life which will inspire the future generations also, Mr Modi said.
Vajpayee's foster-daughter Namita Bhattacharya, her husband Ranjan Bhattacharya and former Prime Minister's grand daughter Neharika were among those who attended the programme.
The meeting was attended among others by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai, BJP patriarch LK Advani, former J&K Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti and senior ministers Rajnath Singh, Ram Vilas Paswan, Piyush Goyal, BJP president Amit Shah, Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Yoga guru Baba Ramdev.
A pensive looking LK Advani was seen chatting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
Former Prime Minister Vajpayee breathed his last on August 16 after prolonged illness and his last rites were performed on August 17.
The Central government has declared seven-day mourning from August 16.
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