Yogi pays emotional tribute to Atal
GORAKHPUR/LUCKNOW/MEERUT/ALLAHABAD: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath was seen becoming emotional and wiping his tears at a condolence meeting for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Nepal Club in Gorakhpur on Saturday.
He recalled the ‘deep association’ of the former PM with Gorakhpur and the Gorakhnath temple.
Adityanath also spoke about Vajpayee’s bond with Mahant Avaidyanath, the former temple chief, who also served as MP and MLA .
The chief minister hailed the role of the former PM as a litterateur, a journalist, a social activist and the ‘tallest Indian leader’.
Adityanath called upon people from all walks of life to draw inspiration from Vajpayee.
“Atalji will be remembered whenever there is talk of nationalism, IT revolution and when it comes to give befitting reply to enemies,” he said.
The chief minister targeted dynastic politics and said Atal’s life showed a man’s deeds made him great, even if he was not born in an affluent family.
Cutting across party lines, leaders of the Congress, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party also attended the condolence meeting.
Later, despite inclement weather, tens of thousands of people joined the Atal Asthi Kalash Yatra . The CM’s car drove slowly behind the mini truck carrying the urns under tight security.
As a mark of respect, the CM got down from his car midway and walked 700 metres to reach the river bank.
The chief minister immersed the ashes in the Rapti at Rajghat. Muslims, wearing skull caps came out on streets , raised slogans and showered the yatra with rose petals.
In Allahabad, the ashes of the former PM were immersed in the Sangam on Saturday.
In Bareilly, scores of people braved a downpour and waterlogged streets in Bareilly to participate in the procession before the ashes were immersed in the Ram Ganga river.
“It is a very humbling to see so many people coming out of their homes to participate in the ceremony. This makes you realise how big a leader Atal ji was,” said union minister Santosh Gangwar.
Processions were also taken out in Moradabad, Badaun, Rampur, Pilibhit, Meerut and nearby districts.
The yatra of Meerut division started from Noida on Saturday morning. From here, the yatra moved to Hapur. Passing through Simbhawali, it reached Garhmukteshwar.
After a public meeting there, the ashes were immersed in the Ganga.