Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid his tribute to former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary.
“Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. An extraordinary statesman blessed with remarkable vision, he dedicated his life to the service of our nation. His words and efforts inspired generations and his leadership strengthened our nation. His focus on good governance and public welfare will always continue to guide us,” the Prime Minister posted on X.
Vajpayee, born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, had a parliamentary career spanning more than four decades. He became a Member of Parliament in 1957 and represented both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during his long political career.
He served as Prime Minister for a brief term from May 16 to May 31, 1996, and later from March 19, 1998, to May 13, 2004. Following the 1999 parliamentary election, he became the first person since Jawaharlal Nehru to serve as Prime Minister through three successive Lok Sabha terms.
Vajpayee’s tenure is remembered for the Pokhran nuclear tests, major infrastructure initiatives, including the Golden Quadrilateral and national highway development, and economic policies that laid the foundation for a prolonged period of economic growth.
His political legacy and emphasis on democratic values continue to be recalled across the country.
(with inputs from IANS)
