Vajpayee infused values into politics: Vice-President

Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and described him as crown jewel of Indian politics.

At a memorial lecture organised by Pragna Bharati in Hyderabad, the Vice-President said Vajpayee’s Parliamentary contribution, administrative acumen and oratory skills have left an indelible impact on millions of Indians. He was India’s most loving leader, a true patriot and nationalist, he added. Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. 

Venkaiah Naidu said Vajpayee practiced politics of principles and infused values into politics. He further said that he propagated and promoted an alternative political thought and had succeeded in providing a real alternative to the ruling party. He sowed the seeds of coalition by heading a government of 23 parties and proved to be an able leader who provided a stable government, he added.

The Vice-President said Vajpayee was a consensus builder and an Ajata Shatru who had no enemies. The fact that he united the entire political spectrum in his death showed why he was called Ajata Shatru. What made Vajpayee endearing to all countrymen was the way he related to different sections of the society, he added.

Venkaiah Naidu said that India had not seen a great leader like Vajpayee who used to accept defeat with dignity and equanimity. He was a great orator and always held the audience spellbound and he used to employ pause with telling effect, he added.

Venkaiah said that Vajpayee was a path-finder who ushered in the connectivity revolution in the country and implemented far-reaching reforms in governance. Some of the transformational changes he introduced had strengthened the Indian economy and unleashed the forces of growth, he added.

Vajpayee was a steadfast leader in his resolve and could not be cowed down by any internal or external pressures. He further said that he enhanced India’s self-esteem through nuclear program. He had larger vision on the foreign policy and pursued multi-alignment in multi-polar world, he added.

Vajpayeeji after Pokhran-II, added Jai Vigyan to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ to encourage research and development and emphasize scientific development.

He was a unique person with a rare blend of diverse talents and he was a complete man. He further said that his qualities of Vyakthithva (personality), Vakruthva (oratory), karthruthva (devotion to duty), mithruthva (camaraderie) combined in Nethruthva (leadership) will be remembered forever. He will be a source of tremendous inspiration for many generations to come, he added.