Congress welcomes Bharat Ratna to Vajpayee

The Congress Wednesday welcomed the Narendra Modi government’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and freedom fighter late Madan Mohan Malaviya, but hoped the government would follow the “principles of rajdharma” enunciated by the former and the ideals of inclusiveness propagated by the latter.

The Congress did not elaborate but the emphasis of its observation was not lost on anyone. Vajpayee had famously advised Modi to adhere to “rajdharma” in the aftermath of the Godhra riots. “In conferring the honour on them, we hope the government acknowledges the ideals of inclusiveness that Malaviya stood by and follows the principles of rajdharma enunciated by Vajpayee,” Congress communication department head Ajay Maken said. “To a certain extent, both Malaviya and Vajpayee represent the Indian thought which is secular and tolerant. We hope this government will walk in the path shown by these leaders,” he added.

“Vajpayee had once told Modi to adhere to rajdharma. We all are witness to what is happening in the country after he became the Prime Minister. We hope that this government at least would listen to what Vajpayee had said and follow rajdharma,” his colleague Shakeel Ahmad said. Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi said Vajpayee was the “bridge between tradition and modernity” in the BJP. Dwivedi said if his party could learn something from him it can be the message of social harmony of which he was a symbol within his party.

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Former commerce minister and senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said Vajpayee was a “reconciler” and believed in India’s pluralism, economic development and infrastructure building.

“He is one person who actually represents the refreshing change when compared to the divisive agenda of religious extremism. Vajpayee is one of those Indian leaders, who are definitely admired across the political spectrum,” Sharma said.