- First PM since Nehru to become PM of India twice with consecutive mandates
- Nine time Parliamentarian and twice Rajya Sabha MP
- Small glimpse on the eve of his 96th birthday by Primepost.in
New Delhi: On the eve of late former Prime Minister Atala Bihari Vajpayee’s 96th birthday, a book titled “Vajpayee: The Years That Changed India” will hit the doors which was written by author Shakthi Sinha on Dec 25th. As per author, the book contains difficulties faced by Vajpayee during his term, decisions on nuclear tests, how he defended India during Kargil war, how his government brought down to stop him succeeding as PM.
Vajpayee will be remembered as a PM who was defeated by just one vote in 1999 which was said to be a failure to manage smaller parties which played a major role in 1999. Vajpayee, forerunner of today’s Bharatiya Janatha party, was born on December 25th, 1924 at Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh). He was first elected to Parliament in 1957 on BJS ticket. He was a man of masses who worked with total commitment to the nation.
His life was attached more towards the Hindutva politics. He was a poet, eminent journalist besides being a great politician. His political career took a turn in 1942 after he met Shyama Prasad Mukharjee (leader of Bharatiya Jana sangh,BJS) during Quit Indian Movement. Atal was the first person to deliver speech in Hindi at the United Nations General Assembly in 1977. This is said to be one of the most unforgettable moments in his life.
His role in the rise of BJP can’t be explained in words, which became single largest party in 1996 and was asked to form Government. Atal was sworn in as PM of India but further failed to gather support from other parties to prove his majority. As a result Vajpayee resigned in 13 days. Later in 1998 BJP ruled only for 13 months when Jayalalitha withdrew her support for Vajpayee’s coalition government (NDA). Government could not win the vote of confidence resulting in its fall.
Third term in 1999, NDA was able to win comfortable majority of 303 seats which lasted for five years. This was the first non-congress government to rule continuously for five years.
Vajpayee held PM for three non consecutive terms 1996, 98-99 and from 99 to 2004, out of which coalition government was seen from 98 to 2004. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, PM gram Sadak Yojana, National Highway Development project are few landmarks seen in his tenure which are still remembered and applauded. On boundary dispute with neighbouring China, his government signed an agreement in 2005 following political deliberations during his term during which serious efforts were made to resolve the issue.
Vajpayee will be remembered for efforts on economic growth and in Information technology.
He was given Best Parliamentarian Award in 1994, second highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan in 1992, and Bharat Ratna in 2015. Stalwart of BJP; Vajpayee quit politics in 2004 after UPA came into power. He had his last breathe on August 16th, 2018 due to prolonged illness. Indian government declared Dec 25th as “Good Governance Day” as a mark of respect to him.
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