New Delhi: Tributes poured in on the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on December 25, a day that is also observed as Good Governance Day, as leaders across the political spectrum remembered him as a visionary statesman who strengthened Indian politics and continues to inspire the present government’s resolve to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’.
Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, Vajpayee is remembered as one of India’s most respected leaders, who served as Prime Minister three times and played a crucial role in shaping the country’s political and strategic direction.
Widely regarded as a statesman with a rare combination of political acumen and moral authority, his leadership legacy continues to resonate across generations.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid rich tributes to the former Prime Minister, highlighting his contribution to Indian politics and governance. In a post on X, Shah said, “Atal ji, through the establishment of the BJP, provided Indian politics with a political alternative that places the nation’s interest and cultural nationalism above all.”
“Whether it was to make India a nuclear-powered nation or to realize good governance, under his leadership, the NDA government presented a governance model that advanced heritage and science together before the country. Atal ji is such a powerful signature of public service and organisational strength in Indian politics that he can never be forgotten,” he added.
Union Health Minister and BJP National President J P Nadda said that Vajpayee’s ideas continue to guide the nation’s future path. Addressing an 'Atal Geet Ganga' program, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, “Atal Ji elevated Indian politics for six decades, blending it with values and ideals.”
Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to Vajpayee, remembering him as a leader who upheld democratic values and institutional integrity, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar remembered the former Prime Minister as a towering figure in Indian public life.
