Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday described former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as an “Ajatshatru”, who had no enemy and never compromised on his principles.
He said that Vajpayee remained committed to his ideology during his time in the Opposition as well as while in power.
Shah was addressing a public meeting in Chittorgarh’s Nimbahera after unveiling a statue of Vajpayee.
“Atal Bihari Vajpayee remained in the Opposition for 40 years, but his ideology always remained paramount. He lived his life according to his principles,” Shah said.
“Vajpayee went to jail, faced lathi charges and endured the atrocities of the Congress, but never compromised on his principles,” he added.
Shah mentioned that when Vajpayee became prime minister, he took several key developmental initiatives.
“Despite global pressure, he made India a nuclear power through the Pokhran tests,” the Home Minister said, adding that Vajpayee also worked to connect every village with roads.
He noted that the former prime minister launched the Swarn Chaturbhuj project, expanded the national highway network and introduced several initiatives during his tenure.
Shah also credited Vajpayee with establishing a separate ministry for tribal development, saying there had previously been no dedicated ministry for the welfare of tribal communities.
“The beginning made by Atal ji has been taken to its conclusion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Shah said, referring to the BJP government’s initiatives for tribal welfare.
He said the election of Droupadi Murmu, who comes from a tribal background, as the President of India was a reflection of the progress made in this regard.
“Neither did he leave his principles while in power nor while in the Opposition. That is why he is known as ‘Ajatshatru’ — a great man who had no enemies,” Shah said.
-PTI
