PM Modi, President Murmu pay tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 99th birth anniversary

President Droupadi Murmu paying floral tribute to former Prime Minister Vajpayee at ‘Sadaiv Atal’ memorial in New Delhi on Dec 25, 2023. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “On behalf of all the family members of the country, I pay my deepest respects to former Prime Minister respected Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his birth anniversary. He remained engaged in accelerating nation-building throughout his life. His dedication and service towards Mother India will remain a source of inspiration even in his immortal age.”

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar arrive at ‘Sadaiv Atal’ memorial to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary. pic.twitter.com/NeFIyLhWWh

— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2023

Among others who visited the BJP stalwart’s memorial were former president Ram Nath Kovind, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh,  Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Anurag Thakur, and BJP National President JP Nadda.

While Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called Vajpayee a source of great motivation, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said that the BJP leader would always “remain the guiding light for us.”

At ‘Sadaiv Atal’ paid respects to former prime minister Shri.Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Atal ji continues to be an inspiration for qualities of leadership, communication, patience and inner strength. Source of great motivation. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/AFKoV5uXPi

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) December 25, 2023

Paid my humble tribute to former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji at ‘Sadaiv Atal’. A giant of a man whose words & works, have inspired people for more than half a century and will continue to do so. He will always remain the guiding light for us. pic.twitter.com/70L8aSdeJG

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) December 25, 2023

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who paid his tributes to Vajpayee at Parliament House wrote on X, “Paid floral tribute to the former Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna late Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, on his birth anniversary at Parliament House, New Delhi. Atal ji continues to inspire us all.”

In another post on X, BJP national president JP Nadda also paid tribute to the Bharat Ratna awardee. He wrote, “I pay my utmost tribute to the pinnacle of Indian politics, our pathfinder, former Prime Minister, ‘Bharat Ratna’ Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his birth anniversary. Your entire life dedicated to national upliftment and public service will always remain our inspiration.”

भारतीय राजनीति के शिखर पुरुष, हमारे पथ प्रदर्शक, पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री, ‘भारत रत्न’ श्रद्धेय अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी जी की जयंती पर उन्हें कोटिशः नमन करता हूँ।

राष्ट्रोत्थान व जनसेवा को समर्पित आपका संपूर्ण जीवन सदैव हमारी प्रेरणा बना रहेगा। pic.twitter.com/qKGwUBxMmM

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) December 25, 2023

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath honoured the former prime minister on behalf of his state. In a statement to the press, he said, “Today is the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I, on behalf of the people of the state, pay my tributes to him. He played a key role in helping India recover from political instability.”

Newly-appointed Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma in a speech honouring Vajpayee said, “When we (BJP) had just two seats in the Parliament, he (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) had warned the opposition and said that a day would come when the country will laugh at them, and the BJP will form a government at the Centre with a full majority.”

Leaders of opposition parties including Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, NCP leader Praful Patel and Janata Dal leader H D Dewe Gowda, too, paid their tributes to Vajpayee.

Nitish Kumar visited the Atal Park in Patna and paid his respects to the two-time prime minister on Monday morning.

“Today is the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee…Ever since I have been an MP, I have known him. When his government was formed, he gave me the responsibility of three departments and greatly respected me,” he said, while talking to the media reporters afterwards.

Meanwhile, National Congress Party (NCP) MP Praful Patel called Vajpayee “a poet-politician who led with grace and strength”.

“Remembering Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji on his birth anniversary. His warmth, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to India resonated deeply with me. A poet-politician who led with grace and strength, leaving behind a legacy of peace and progress,” he wrote on X.

Known for his great oratory skills, Vajpayee was also a gifted poet and often ended his speeches on a poetic note, even when in parliament.

Janata Dal leader and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda sent out birthday greetings to his late parliamentarian friend on a social media post as well. He wrote on X, “My birthday greetings to former Prime Minister and my elderly friend, AB Vajpayee. I have fond memories of my many decades of interactions with him.”

My birthday greetings to former Prime Minister and my elderly friend, AB Vajpayee. I have fond memories of my many decades of interactions with him. pic.twitter.com/f13lRlv6pi

— H D Deve Gowda (@H_D_Devegowda) December 25, 2023

To commemorate this day, the central BJP government announced the observance of ‘Good Governance Day’ – a day to foster awareness among citizens about government accountability and administration, and inculcate “good governance” as a habit for civil servants.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant participated in the Good Governance Day programme in their respective states in honour of Vajpayee.