He was my guru, role model: Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) patriarch Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his “ideal, a guru and role model” who inspired him deeply; and recalled his contribution to building the only national party in the post-independence era.

Modi also credited Vajpayee, who died on Thursday after spending nine weeks in hospital, with rescuing the economy from the “morass of the mid-1990s,” and irreversibly changing India’s place in the world.

Vajpayee was the one who “entrusted me with responsibilities both in Gujarat as well as at the national level,” Modi wrote in a blog.

“It was he who called me one evening in October 2001, and told me to go to Gujarat as the chief minister. When I told him that I had always worked in the organisation, he said he was confident I would fulfil the people’s expectations. The faith he had in me was humbling.”

Modi said in times of turbulence and disruption, a nation is blessed to have a leader who rises to become its moral compass and guiding spirit, providing vision, cohesion and direction to his people. “And, in such a moment at the turn of the century, India found one in Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was gifted in spirit, heart and mind,” the Prime Minister wrote.

“Orator without parallel, he could switch from disarming humour to a lofty vision with ease, with a rare ability to connect with people naturally, to stir them to self-belief and to a higher cause. Sharply perceptive, he could summarise the most complex issues and discussions in a single sentence or question,” Modi said.

Vajpayee had the clarity to represent his party with passion, but always spoke for the nation, Modi said, adding he defined the spirit of democracy in India. The PM credited Vajpayee with sowing the seeds of much of the economic success that India experienced over the past two decades and “preparing the foundations” of an India that is ready to take on the mantle of global leadership in the 21st century.

“The futuristic economic policies and reforms of his government ensured prosperity for several Indians,” Modi said. “He overcame the hesitation of our nation, the resistance of the world and threat of isolation to make India a nuclear weapons power.”

“No longer would India’s security be vulnerable,” Modi wrote. “At that moment of surge in national pride, his was a voice of restraint and responsibility.”