Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the charismatic poet-politician who served as India’s 10th Prime Minister for three non-consecutive terms, remains a towering figure in the nation’s history.
He was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and passed away at the age of 93 on August 16, 2018.
He began his career as a journalist and activist to become one of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s founding fathers, leading it to historic achievements on the national stage. A skilled orator and statesman, Vajpayee’s legacy rests on his commitment to inclusive policies, his efforts to improve regional relations, and his vision for a strong, modern India.
- Political Career: Vajpayee was a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and served as its first president from 1980 to 1986. He was elected to the Lok Sabha ten times and to the Rajya Sabha twice.
- Prime Minister: He served as the Prime Minister of India for three terms: briefly in 1996, from 1998 to 1999, and from 1999 to 2004. During his tenure, India conducted the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998.
- Good Governance Day: His birthday, December 25, is celebrated as Good Governance Day in India to honour his contributions to the nation.
- Awards: Vajpayee was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 2015
Here are some key decisive moments that Vajpayee took during his tenure:
- Kargil War, 1999
Vajpayee’s bus journey from Amritsar to Lahore in 1999 marked a promising start for India-Pakistan relations. However, despite the hopeful Lahore Declaration, the Pakistan Army’s secret operation in Kargil led to a brief but unsuccessful conflict. Vajpayee, striving for peace, also authorized military action when needed. During the Kargil conflict, he approved the use of airpower, emphasizing a defensive strategy without crossing the Line of Control.
- Kandahar hijacking, 1999
In December 1999, five terrorists hijacked an Indian Airlines flight IC 814 carrying around 190 passengers from Kathmandu to New Delhi. They redirected the plane to Kandahar, located in Afghanistan under Taliban rule at that time. The Vajpayee government acquiesced to the hijackers’ demands. Jaswant Singh, the Foreign Minister then, escorted the terrorists – Masood Azhar, Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar – to Kandahar in exchange for the release of the captive passengers.
- Parliament attack, 2001
Five heavily armed terrorists attacked the Parliament complex, causing chaos and killing nine individuals. This horrendous assault led India to deploy its troops along the border with Pakistan in a mission called ‘Operation Parakram,’ which lasted almost 11 months.
Speaking about this troop mobilization, Parthasarathy mentioned that Vajpayee, in response to the Parliament attack, ordered the mobilization of forces along the border, exerting significant pressure on Pakistan. This led Pakistan to declare a ceasefire and resume dialogues, prompted by President Musharraf’s assurance that Pakistani-controlled territory would not be utilized for terrorist activities.
Vajpayee showed a willingness to pursue peace earnestly, yet he also demonstrated a readiness to use military force to protect the nation’s interests, as seen during the Kargil conflict and the subsequent military deployment following the Parliament attack.
Vajpayee was known for his strong dedication to peace and protecting his country. He was prepared to use both diplomacy and military strategies to keep India safe and secure its interests.
Vajpayee’s health had been a growing concern after a stroke in 2009 impaired his speech and led to his reliance on a wheelchair. His condition worsened as reports indicated he struggled with recognizing people, battled dementia, and grappled with long-term diabetes. For several years, he withdrew from public life, rarely venturing out except for medical checkups at AIIMS. On June 11, 2018, he was hospitalized at AIIMS due to a severe kidney infection shortly after which he passed away. His demise marked the end of an era for Indian politics, leaving behind a legacy of statesmanship and leadership.