Vajpayee practised value-based politics: BJP

Hyderabad

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statesmanship and value-based politics were recalled on his birth anniversary, as BJP leaders attended the inauguration of his statue, which was unveiled by Tripura Governor N. Indrasena Reddy at LB Nagar on Thursday.

BJP TG president N. Ramchander Rao described him as a leader whose entire life stood as a living testament to ethical and effective governance.

Recalling the formative years of BJP after its establishment in 1980, Mr. Rao said that Vajpayee served as the party’s first national president and laid a strong ideological and organisational foundation. During that period, N. Indrasena Reddy was the Yuva Morcha president in the then united Andhra Pradesh, while he himself served as a party secretary.

“We were fortunate to serve the party during its formative phase under the leadership of Vajpayee,” Mr. Rao said.

He said that Vajpayee proved that it was possible to be a fierce and effective critic in Parliament without resorting to personal attacks or abusive language. He recalled an anecdote from the early years of Parliament when the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was deeply impressed by Vajpayee’s oratory and later openly appreciated him at a public function.

Drawing a contrast with the present political climate in Telangana, Mr. Rao expressed concern over the declining standards of public discourse. The event was attended by BJP MP Eatala Rajender and others.