President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his memorial, Sadaiv Atal, on his death anniversary.
Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla were also present on the occasion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Vajpayee as a guiding force for India’s journey towards development and self -reliance. In a post on X, he said: “Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. His dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round progress of India continue to inspire everyone in building a developed and self-reliant India.”
Recalling Vajpayee’s contribution towards making the country strong and prosperous, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “I pay homage to Atalji on his punyatithi. He worked all his life with the resolve of building a strong and prosperous India. The nation will always remember his tremendous contribution.”
The BJP stalwart had breathed his last on this day in 2018.
Highlighting Vajpayee’s legacy of principled politics and decisive leadership, Home Minister Amit Shah said in a post on X, “Former Prime Minister, founding member of the BJP, Bharat Ratna revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji laid a strong foundation for development and good governance while advancing value-based politics. Atal ji was a leader who never compromised on principles and ideology, even if it meant losing his government.”
Hailing former Prime Minister’s action in responding to Pakistan during the Kargil War, he said, “Under his leadership, India conducted successful nuclear tests in Pokhran and delivered a decisive response to enemies in the Kargil War. Through his thoughts and actions, Atal ji will continue to inspire us all to walk the path of national service”.
The Home Minister paid “respects to Atal Ji” on his death anniversary.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the first leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, served as India’s prime minister three times: briefly in 1996, for 13 months in 1998 and 1999, and full-time from 1999 to 2004. He is credited with pushing economic reforms that paved the way for a period of high growth.
