Cutting across party lines, various leaders recalled the contribution of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. At an all-party prayer meeting organised to condole Vajpayee's death, the former PM was lauded for his magnanimity, political vision and engagement with all political views.
“There was a long time when political untouchability was maintained in India. But after undergoing such humiliation, and often personal attacks, Atalji stuck to his ideology. He maintained dignity. When he formed a government for 13 days, no party was willing to support him. As a result the government fell. But soon he returned to power,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while speaking on the occasion.
“Yesterday, Asian Games gold medalist Bajrang Punia, dedicated his gold medal to Atal ji, I think this says a lot about his personality,” PM Modi added.
Longtime associate of Vajpayee, L.K. Advani said the loss of Vajpayee was felt by him the most.
“I had addressed many meetings in my life, but never imagined that I will address such a meeting. And such a meeting without Atalji... When I wrote my autobiography, I had mentioned Atalji. But when that book was released, Atalji could not come (because he was indisposed) and it had hurt me a lot. Today Atalji is not present but many related to him are here, even though they are not from BJP or RSS, it gives me immense joy,” Advani said.
“I consider myself fortunate that my friendship with Atalji lasted for 65 years during which I watched him closely. Working together, we shared our experiences, watched films together and read books together,” Advani recalled.
Revealing a little-known aspect of Vajpayee, Advani said former PM was a great cook. “I had meals several times cooked by him, even though it was only khichdi.”
“I have learnt a lot from him,” Advani said nostalgically.
The Congress party was represented by senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.
“Even after his death, he gathered everyone in one hall. That was his binding power. There are only a few people who even after their death lessen the differences. Whenever he spoke, even it was a harsh criticism it was music to the ears,” Azad said reciting a Ghalib's couplet.
Azad said he had a chance to work with Vajpayee from 1991 to 1996 from close quarters when he was the parliamentary affairs minister and Vajpayee was the leader of opposition. “We used to interact a lot, sometimes we ate in my room, and sometimes in his. The kind of differences we have today were not present then.”
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that Vajpayee did not become popular because he was the PM. I think he would have been as popular as he is now, had he worked in any social or political sector.
Cabinet minister Ram Vilas Paswan said, “What a good leader have is a big heart. If he has a big heart, the party naturally grows bigger. Atalji had a big heart.”
National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said Atalji never discriminated anyone based on their stature, colour or religion. “Wo Wazire-e-Azam nahi Hindustan ke dilon ke maalik they (He was not the king of the land, he was the king of hearts of the Indian people). He was large-hearted. No one had a heart like him... Let us make this country full of love. I will follow his path till the time I am alive,” Abdullah said as he raised slogans of Bharat Mata ki Ji and Jai Hind.
Leaders of several other political parties were also present on the occasion and expressed their condolences.