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

Leaders across the political spectrum paid tributes to former Prime Minister and BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 99th birth anniversary on Monday.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar visited the ‘Sadaiv Atal’ memorial in New Delhi early this morning and paid floral tributes to the BJP founder member.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.