Lucknow, December 25: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday termed former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the "Ajatshatru" (the one who has no enemies) of India's politics, and said that he set an example of purity and transparency in politics. "Atal ji was the 'Ajatshatru' of India's politics. Along with bailing out India from political instability of India, he set an ideal example of purity and transparency in politics in the country.

"The foundation stone of the new model of development, security and good governance that India has established under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last nine-and-a-half years was laid by respected Atal ji during his reign," Adityanath said at the Lok Bhavan in Lucknow on Vajpayee's birth anniversary. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Birth Anniversary 2023: PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda Remember Former Prime Minister on His Jayanti.

Tributes were paid to former PM Vajpayee at the Lok Bhavan by CM Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak and other leaders on Monday. Due to his special attachment towards Uttar Pradesh, Vajpayee chose the state for his education and workplace, Adityanath said.

He added that the state government is working with commitment towards the ideals and values for which the former PM dedicated his life. The UP CM said this year is also the beginning of Vajpayee's birth centenary. Many programmes will be organised in the next one year to keep his memories alive and to showcase every aspect of his life, which gave a new direction to the society and the nation. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Birth Anniversary 2023: PM Narendra Modi, Other Leaders Pay Floral Tribute to Former Prime Minister at 'Sadaiv Atal' Memorial (Watch Videos).

To remember his literary interest and contribution in the field of journalism, different types of programmes will be organised from gram panchayat to state level in basic education schools, universities and other institutions, he added. On this occasion, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, UP Legislative Council member and state BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, other public representatives and other senior officers were present, the UP government said in a statement.

Earlier, in a post on X, Adityanath said, "Tributes were paid to the carrier ('sanvaahak') of excellent democratic values in Indian politics former prime minister 'Bharat Ratna' revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji at his statue on the occasion of 'Good Governance Day'. The sacred memories of respected Atal ji will always remain alive in the hearts of all of us."

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya in a post said, "A strong politician, who gave the country a strong identity on the world stage, a multi-faceted personality, a dynamic speaker, our source of inspiration, the grandfather of the BKP, former PM and (the one) honoured with Bharat Ratna, hundreds of salutes to respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his birth anniversary!"

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak in a post on X, said, "Today, on the occasion of 'Good Governance Day', the birth anniversary of respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, the grandfather of the BJP, the 'Ajatashatru' of Indian politics and our source of inspiration, former Prime Minister 'Bharat Ratna'. Floral tributes were paid at the statue of revered Atal ji at the Atal Bihari Scientific Convention Centre, Lucknow."

A great orator, Vajpayee was the popular face of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and then the BJP. His acceptability beyond ideological boundaries was a key reason behind the BJP drawing support from many parties as he ran a coalition government from 1999 to 2004. Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924 in Gwalior, and died on August 16, 2018 in New Delhi.

He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Lucknow in 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. In the following Lok Sabha elections in 2009, 2014 and 2019, the BJP maintained its dominance on the seat as Lalji Tandon (2009) and Rajnath Singh (2014 and 2019) were elected MPs respectively.