Rivals cut across party lines to pay homage to Vajpayee
LEADERS OF BJP, CONGRESS AND CPI REMEMBER VAJPAYEE AS A GREAT VISIONARY AND LAUDED HIS CONTRIBUTION TO HIMACHAL PRADESH
SHIMLA: : Cutting across party lines, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur shared dias with former chief ministers Shanta Kumar, Virbhadra Singh and Prem Kumar Dhumal and others at a function organised at the historic Ridge on Wednesday to pay homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Leaders from different parties, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress and the Communist Party of India (CPI) remembered Vajpayee and lauded his contribution to Himachal Pradesh.
Governor Acharya Devvrat said that Vajpayee was a universally loved politician and a great personality who, over the decades, emerged as a statesman with national appeal. "Vajpayee was a legendary and visionary leader, who defined highest values of leadership and his contribution for the development of the country would be remembered for years to come" he said.
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said, “Vajpayee was a statesman, a visionary leader, who was above party politics. His demise is indeed a great loss to the nation in general and Himachal Pradesh in particular. Vajpayee always considered Himachal Pradesh as his second home and had a house at Prini in Kullu district.”
The CM said that the idea to construct the Rohtang tunnel, connecting the landlocked hinterland Lahaul valley with the rest of the world, was conceived in 1998 by Vajpayee and the project was announced by him on June 3, 2000.”
Former chief minister Shanta Kumar described Vajpayee as a ‘sensitive’ leader, who was different from the league. “Ataljiwas a great leader and for him nationalism was the foremost. He did not indulge in petty politics. Altalji’s death has reminded us to think and rise above politics for nation-building ,” said Shanta Kumar.
Former CM Dhumal reminisced his contribution towards Himachal Pradesh. “For me, Vajpayee was a leader greatest of leaders in the country.” He said his personality will continue to inspire people for years to come.
Former chief minister Virbhadra Singh recalled Vajpayee for high values in politics. “There are a very few leaders like Vajpayee. He was different from others,” he said.
Union health minister JP Nadda said that Vajpayee was in public life for over seventy years, but despite this, probably he was the only leader, who earned only friends during his political life.
Assembly speaker Rajiv Bindal , leader of Congress Legislative Party (CLP) Mukesh Agnihotri also said that Vajpayee, due to his behaviour and simplicity, will remain a role model in Indian politics for times to come.
CPM leader and MLA Rakesh Singha and Prant Pracharak RSS Sanjeevan also paid rich tributes to the former Prime Minister.
A documentary on the Himachal sojourn of Vajpayee, produced by Information and Public Relations Department, was also screened on the occasion.