New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday paid tribute to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary, remembering his lifelong commitment to the nation and his message of inclusive politics.
“Today is truly a very important day. The leader, the personality named Atal Bihari Vajpayee, devoted himself completely to the service of the country and worked day and night for the nation,” Gupta said.
Recalling Vajpayee’s various roles in public life, she said he remained committed to serving the country.
“Whether he was the Leader of the Opposition, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Prime Minister of the country, or our beloved leader, he always taught us one thing: everyone in the country must be taken along, and every individual must be cared for,” she said.
Several other BJP leaders across the country also remembered Vajpayee and highlighted his contribution to Indian politics, nation-building and public life.
In Patna, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad described Vajpayee as a great leader who helped take the country forward and played a key role in strengthening the BJP from its earlier days in the Jana Sangh.
“Atal Ji was a great leader who took the country forward. From the days of the Jana Sangh, he worked to strengthen the BJP. He was a remarkable Prime Minister,” Prasad said.
In Ranchi, Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi paid tribute to Vajpayee at the premises of the state Assembly. Marandi described him as an “Ajatashatru”, or a person without enemies, saying leaders across the political spectrum respected him.
“Be it the ruling party or the opposition, everyone praised him immensely,” Marandi said. He also credited Vajpayee with playing a crucial role in the creation of Jharkhand.
“And if credit can be given to any single person for the creation of the state of Jharkhand today, it is Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” he said.
BJP MLA Navin Jaiswal also recalled Vajpayee not only as a political leader but as a poet and an influential orator.
“He was known not only as a leader but also as a poet. Such a popular leader, whose speeches people came on their own, walking or riding bicycles, just to listen to his speeches and thoughts,” Jaiswal said.
“There are many leaders in politics, but a committed leader like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who believed in bringing people together throughout his life,” he added.
The leaders said Vajpayee’s commitment to democratic values, national service and consensus-driven politics continues to inspire political workers and citizens across the country.
–IANS
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