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His life journey was filled with unique talent, political acumen, and farsighted leadership. He laid the foundation of the BJP, which emerged from a nascent organisation into a giant political force under his visionary leadership and guidance that delivers ground-breaking political impacts in Indian politics. And on this strong foundation, BJP stands today as the largest political party in the world
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji is one of the most popular and respected politicians of independent India. His leadership, combined with his personality, oratory and actions, played an important role in establishing the Bharatiya Janata Party as a strong political force in the country. His life journey was filled with unique talent, political acumen, and farsighted leadership. He laid the foundation of the BJP, which emerged from a nascent organisation into a giant political force under his visionary leadership and guidance that delivers ground-breaking political impacts in Indian politics. And on this strong foundation, BJP stands today as the largest political party in the world.
Atalji laid the foundation of the cultural and economic renaissance of India through the BJP, which is now under the leadership of Modiji fully prepared to play a vital role in the global leadership of the 21st century.
The seed now became a Banyan tree
Atalji’s political journey is a testimony to his unwavering dedication to the nation and his adaptability, innovation and leadership skills in adversity. From joining the ‘Quit India Movement’ during his student life to becoming a founding member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) and later taking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the pinnacle of power, Atalji’s path was laid down by dedication, perseverance, and vision.
His ideological foundation was deeply influenced by his early affiliation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This association shaped his approach to nationalism and governance. In 1951, he played a key role in founding the Bharatiya Jana Sangh along with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. In the early days of the Jana Sangh, Shri Vajpayee actively participated in the ‘Kashmir Satyagraha’, which advocated the removal of restrictions imposed on Indian citizens in the state of
From joining the ‘Quit India Movement’ during his student life to becoming a founding member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) and later taking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the pinnacle of power, Atalji’s path was laid down by dedication, perseverance, and vision
Jammu and Kashmir. He also strongly opposed the Liaquat-Nehru Pact, which was in line with Shri Mookerjee’s vision of a strong and unified India. His clarity and conviction on these issues made him a respected leader in the party and an influential voice at the national level. This was a testimony to his unique leadership ability, which laid the foundation for giving a new direction to Indian politics.
Elected to Parliament in 1957, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s speeches on the Tibet crisis and India’s defeat in the 1962 war left a profound and indelible mark on the country. His eloquence and in-depth analysis established him as a leading voice in Indian politics. He became the leading face of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, known for his charisma and unparalleled ability to connect with the masses. Despite limited resources, Shri Vajpayee traveled continuously across the country, mostly by train, bus, or road, and often stayed in the homes of party Karyakartas. These grassroots efforts were extremely important in strengthening the organisational structure of Jana Sangh.
The 1962 aggression of China proved to be a turning point in Indian politics. Public
The Jana Sangh, under the leadership of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, developed a strong organizational structure, resulting in significant electoral successes in the 1967 elections. The party won a majority in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and established a strong presence in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab
disillusionment with the Congress Party grew, and alliances began to form among opposition leaders. The Jana Sangh, under the leadership of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, developed a strong organizational structure, resulting in significant electoral successes in the 1967 elections. The party won a majority in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and established a strong presence in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab. This was the period when Nehru said that this young MP would one day occupy the PM’s chair.
After the untimely demise of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Atal Bihari Vajpayee took over the leadership of the Jana Sangh. By maintaining the core principles of the party and balancing the need for broad political alliances, he established himself as a national leader. During the 1971 war, Vajpayee demonstrated his maturity and national outlook by rising above party politics and extending his full support to the government. In 1974, he led the active participation in the movement launched by Shri Jayaprakash Narayan, strengthening the fight for democracy and justice.
1975-77 was a defining moment for both Shri Vajpayee and the Jana Sangh. He played a key role in opposing the Emergency and authoritarianism and advocating the restoration of democratic norms. Despite the challenges, his leadership ensured that the party remained steadfast to its principles. The brief experiment of the Janata Party after the Emergency ultimately proved unsuccessful and led to the exit of Jana Sangh from the coalition.
BJP: Collective voice of India’s nationalism
In 1980, after the dissolution of the Janata Party coalition, Atalji played a key role in reorganizing the Bharatiya Jana Sangh as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the first president of the BJP, Vajpayee laid the ideological foundation of the party, seeking to combine its nationalist roots with broader national interests. Under his leadership, the BJP adopted socialism and Indian nationalism as its guiding principles, giving the party a centrist outlook. Vajpayeeji’s liberal image and emphasis on inclusiveness played a key role in garnering a diverse mass support base. His leadership kept the party alive during the initial struggles of the BJP and gradually brought acceptance as a mainstream political party. The party’s vote share increased from 7.74% in 1984 to 20.1% in 1991 and this was due to Atal ji’s leadership.
Atalji’s greatest achievement was that he presented nationalism in a way that resonated with the Indian electorate. Unlike leaders who took a hardline stance, his approach was driven by generosity and pragmatism, especially that proved useful in difficult times. After 1992, his leadership helped the BJP overcome that political isolation, and the party subsequently succeeded in forging strategic alliances with regional parties.
De facto leader of Coalition politics
In his 65 years of active public life till 2009, Atal ji spent almost 56 years in opposition and only nine years in power. This journey of his political life will prove to be a guide to the politics of purity and principles in the future. His leadership in the 1990s was a turning point for the Bharatiya Janata Party. Atalji’s ability to deal with the complexities of coalition politics became evident when he became the Prime Minister of India in 1996, though this tenure lasted only 13 days. But despite these political complexities, Atalji’s speech in Parliament captured the emotions of the vast masses of the Country. The people answered the political betrayal with their votes in 1998 and Atalji returned to power again.
During his tenure from 1998 to 2004, Vajpayeeji demonstrated a unique political ability in holding together a coalition of more than 20 parties. This was a unique example of taking everyone along while accepting the spirit of democracy and its integrity in the Indian Constitution. The stability of his government disproved the idea that coalition governments are inherently weak. Under his leadership, the BJP’s seat share rose significantly to 182 in the 1998 general election, a testimony to his widespread popularity and vision.
Great Architect of Organization
Atalji’s leadership was crucial in promoting unity in the BJP, often mediating between different viewpoints in the party. His moderate approach helped the BJP evolve as a nationalist party and a better and more credible alternative to the Congress.
Historic economic reforms were initiated during his tenure as Prime Minister. Corruption-free, clean, and transparent governance gave the BJP the identity of a clean party. The Golden Quadrilateral Highway Project and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana revolutionized India’s infrastructure. The various projects, which were aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting economic growth, strengthened the BJP’s image as a party with a developmental approach.
Atalji’s significant foreign policy initiatives, including the Lahore bus service and the Agra summit with Pakistan, deepened US-Israel ties, highlighted his dedication to peace, development, and dialogue. Despite challenges like the Kargil War, Atalji ‘s political acumen improved India’s global standing. The decision to conduct nuclear tests in 1998 demonstrated India’s strategic independence, which established him as a decisive leader.
Known for his fiery oratory, Vajpayee’s speeches often left a deep impact on the minds of the people. His ability to explain complex issues in a simple and poetic style made him one of the most popular leaders of his time. His charm was instrumental in garnering support for the BJP from various sections of the socity.
Legacy and far-reaching impact
Atalji’s contributions to the BJP were innovative and revolutionary. His tenure transformed the BJP from a marginal political party to a formidable force capable of shaping India’s political course. Under his leadership, the BJP not only gained political legitimacy but also laid the foundation for the leadership of global leaders like Shri Narendra Modi.
Vajpayeeji’s vision that ideological commitment must be combined with pragmatic governance remains a guiding principle for the BJP and inspires its strategy and approach.
Atalji’s contribution to BJP is incomparable. From transforming the Bharatiya Jana Sangh into a modern political party to leading India through its transformational years, his vision and leadership continue to be a source of inspiration. His legacy is not just that of a leader who led his party to the pinnacle of power, but also of a statesman who envisioned a progressive, inclusive and globally respected India. Atalji’s legacy is reflected in the BJP’s governance style and ideology, making him an enduring symbol of Indian democracy and political acumen.
(The writer is the BJP National General
Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP)