Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin and political leaders paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who died in New Delhi on Thursday.
“A great son of Mother India is no more. But his service to the people of India as the Prime Minister of the nation, memories of his speeches in Parliament and outside, and his qualities of tolerance and magnanimity will live on forever,” the Governor said.
Great orator
Mr. Palaniswami observed that Mr. Vajpayee was the first leader from the BJP to become Prime Minister thrice, serve the country well as the External Affairs Minister and also as a Parliamentarian for over five decades.
“Mr. Vajpayee, who was known for his love for literature, was also a great orator. He was an efficient administrator, hard worker and also a warm personality. Mr. Vajpayee had committed his life to the service of the nation and has been a recipient of Government of India's Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan. The demise of Mr. Vajpayee is a huge loss to the nation,” Mr. Palaniswami said.
DMK working president M.K. Stalin recalled the former Prime Minister’s association with the late DMK president M. Karunanidhi. In a statement, Mr. Stalin said the even though there were differences of opinion, Mr. Vajpayee had lots of love and respect for Karunanidhi.
“Mr. Vajpayee took part in the TESO conference in Madurai (in 1986) organised to protect the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Based on Kalaignar’s request, he formed the Cauvery River Authority. Apart from all these, despite pressure from a number of quarters, he refused to dismiss the DMK government at the cost of even sacrificing his own government,” he said.
‘Candle of democracy’
MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the brightest shining candle of Indian democracy had gone out.
Recalling his association with Mr. Vajpayee, Mr. Vaiko said when he and his associates were jailed under POTA, Mr. Vajpayee took steps to ensure that then Solicitor General submit in Supreme Court that supporting the LTTE was not an offence under the Act. He also refused to provide arms to the Sri Lankan government and held a stand that the Indian government will not support the island nation’s government, Mr. Vaiko said.
“Atalji was a very humble, pious, simple living and high thinking person, with a vision to strengthen the basic secular fabric of the nation. Above all, he was a symbol of peace and harmony, who respected all faiths,” the Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, said.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Su. Thirunavukkarasar said Mr. Vajpayee was a towering leader, who despite being in the BJP, cared for the minorities, dalits and all sections of society. VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said when Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka, Mr. Vajpayee condemned the move. “When he was Prime Minister, he was a trusted friend of Sri Lankan Tamils,” he said.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss said when his party was part of the NDA government led by Mr. Vajpayee, he supported the efforts of the ministers from the party to roll out many schemes including introducing new train routes in Tamil Nadu, health schemes among others.
Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani, DMDK founder Vijayakant, Tamil Maanila Congress president G.K. Vasan, Tamil film actor Rajinikanth, were among those who paid their tributes and condolences to the former Prime Minister.
“I have lost a dear friend who shared my belief in the role that access to quality healthcare can play in a nation’s development. We will always remember him for his kindness, affection and admiration for us,” said Pratap Reddy, Chairman of Apollo Hospitals.
