Former Union Minister Praises Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Legacy
Hyderabad: Former Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur highlighted the remarkable contributions of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the centenary celebrations organized by the Telangana BJP on Wednesday. He emphasized that Vajpayee left an indelible mark in every role he played, whether as a writer, poet, or statesman.
Speaking at the event, Thakur said, “Atal ji’s life began as an RSS activist. He was not only a talented writer and orator but also a responsible citizen who served the nation with dedication. His leadership as Prime Minister showcased his deep sense of responsibility and vision for India.”
Thakur recalled Vajpayee’s funeral, describing the overwhelming respect people had for him. “After sunset, thousands of people, including BJP leaders and activists, walked from AIIMS to his residence and then to ‘Sadaiva Atal.’ This reflected the admiration and love the public had for him. The mutual respect between Vajpayee and late PV Narasimha Rao is priceless, and our party also honors PV Narasimha Rao with the same respect,” he added.
The Union Minister criticized the Congress party for undermining democratic values during the Emergency. He contrasted this with Vajpayee and the BJP’s commitment to upholding democracy. Thakur also accused Congress of neglecting Dr. BR Ambedkar, stating, “Congress prevented Dr. Ambedkar from receiving the Bharat Ratna, while our party has always respected and honored him.”
Thakur shared stories of the Kargil War, highlighting the bravery of soldiers from Himachal Pradesh, his home state. “Two of the four soldiers awarded the Param Vir Chakra in the Kargil War were from Himachal Pradesh. When Narendra Modi visited Kargil during the war, he was moved to hear soldiers chanting praises for Bharat Mata and Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” he said.
Reflecting on India’s progress under Vajpayee’s leadership, Thakur recalled how the country’s global image transformed between 1997 and 1999. “During India’s Golden Jubilee, we were ridiculed abroad as beggars and snake charmers. But within two years, the NDA government under Vajpayee’s leadership changed that perception. India became recognized as a nuclear power, and international media began celebrating our nation’s achievements. This demonstrated the impact of effective leadership,” he affirmed.
Thakur also highlighted Vajpayee’s vision for scientific and agricultural advancement. “His slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan’ reflected his commitment to strengthening India in science and technology,” he noted.
Concluding his address, Thakur spoke about the abrogation of Article 370, a long-standing goal of BJP leaders such as Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Deen Dayal Upadhyay, and Vajpayee. “Their vision of ‘One Nation, One Prime Minister, One Flag, and One Constitution’ has been realized under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership,” he said.
