Vajpayee’s tryst with Warangal

Warangal: Not many people are aware of the fact that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was used to visit and take health tips from famous Ayurvedic doctor Shetagopachary in Warangal. 

This apart, Vajpayee, who breathed his last on Thursday, has a long association with the erstwhile Warangal district. Since the times of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), Vajpayee had visited Warangal at least four times and more importantly, he maintained a close relationship with old timers, especially Jana Sangh leaders.

Vajpayee’s first visit dates back to 1968, when he addressed a public meeting at Old Beat Bazar. The BJS activists then handed him a purse of Rs 51,000 as party fund. He also addressed a public meeting at Jeevanlal Grounds in Hanamkonda.

Again, he visited Warangal in 1982 and addressed a gathering at Islamia College Grounds. Thereafter, he made a visit to Jangaon, Parkal and Hanamkonda in 1985 and campaigned for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates.

His next visit was in 1989 to attend the 10th day of ceremony of Raghavender Reddy, who was killed by naxalites, at Govindapuram under Gudur mandal. After attending the ceremony, he addressed the condolence meeting of Reddy at Islamia Grounds in Warangal.

It’s said that Vajpayee used to take health tips from Ayurvedic doctor Shetagopachary, who is no more. Former MP Chandupatla Janga Reddy used to meet Vajpayee regularly.

Speaking to The Hans India, senior BJP leader and former MLA Mandadi Satyanarayana Reddy recalled his association with Vajpayee: “The two days I spent with him in Rajahmundry in 1961 during the Jana Sangh political training classes remain forever in my life.

Vajpayee is one of the greatest personalities ever born in the country. His services to the nation will be written in golden letters in the annals of Indian history.”

Warangal Rural district president Edla Ashok Reddy said that Vajpayee was in Hanamkonda during the BJYM’s four-day Maha Sabha in 1983. Warangal Urban district president Rao Padma Amarender Reddy and others expressed their condolences.

In a statement, Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari expressed his grief over the death of Vajpayee who passed away at the age of 93 in Delhi on Thursday. India lost a great son. He was loved and respected by all cutting across the political affiliations.