PM Modi, LK Advani Recall Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Legacy at Prayer Meet
Advani, who was associated with Vajpayee since early 50s' when they were members of the Jana Sangh, said he had never conceived of the day when the latter would leave him alone in public life.
New Delhi, Aug 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP patriarch Lal Krishna Advani recalled the legacy of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the prayer meeting held to mourn the demise of the late leader.
Advani, who was associated with Vajpayee since early 50s' when they were members of the Jana Sangh, said he had never conceived of the day when the latter would leave him alone in public life.
"I have addressed several public meetings but I had never thought that I will once have to address a meeting like this, a meeting where Atal ji would not be there," added 90-year-old Advani, who co-founded the BJP along with Vajpayee.
"I consider myself fortunate that my friendship with Atal ji lasted for 65 years during which I watched him closely. Working together, we shared our experiences, watched films together and read books together," he added.
PM Modi recalled Vajpayee as his political mentor, who has left behind a guiding legacy for him. Recalling him as a man of principles, Modi said Vajpayee never compromised with his founding principles.
"He spent several year in Opposition, but never compromised his ideology. When he formed the government for 13 days, no party was willing to support him. As a result the government fell," Modi said, adding that Vajpayee was not deterred and went on to form the first non-Congress government which lasted for 5 years.
"Yesterday, (Indian wrestler) Bajrang Punia dedicated his gold medal to Atal ji. I think this says a lot about his personality," Modi added.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who had closely worked with Vajpayee in the erstwhile NDA government at the Centre, said the late-former PM was a man who could win over his opponents with his integrity and honest approach.
"He did not become popular because he was the PM. I think he would have been as popular as he was after being the PM, had he worked in any social or political sector," Singh added.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2018 05:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).