Lucknow, 16 Aug (HS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid

tribute to 'Bharat Ratna' former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his

eighth death anniversary by offering floral tributes at his statue in Lok

Bhavan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday that Atal ji's six-decade

public life was undisputed and unblemished. As the uncrowned king of Indian

politics, he worked continuously with the spirit of 'nation above all'. He

started his public life with Satyagraha under the leadership of Dr. Shyama

Prasad Mukherjee against the imposition of Article 370 in Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said

that even in his various roles as a Member of Parliament, Foreign Minister,

Leader of the Opposition, National President of the Jan Sangh and the Bharatiya

Janata Party, and Prime Minister, Nation First was always his

priority. From a simple BJP worker to National President, Leader of the

Opposition, Leader of the House, or Prime Minister, his life's goal was always

Nation First. Whenever the need arose, he prioritized the country

over party.

Atal ji's contribution to the security of the nation: The

Chief Minister said that when the Congress party imposed the Emergency on the

country, he merged the Jana Sangh with the Janata Party and actively

participated in the movement to end the Emergency. During the wars of 1962,

1965, and 1971, instead of criticizing the government, he stood with the

government as a responsible MP and contributed to strengthening the nation's

security.

Yogi explained how steps can be taken to stop the cycle of

instability in Indian politics and achieve the goal of good governance through

political stability. The example set by Atal Bihari Vajpayee through political

coordination by forming the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 1996-98

remains relevant in Indian politics even today. The NDA, led by the Bharatiya

Janata Party, together with its allies, continues to achieve the goals of good

governance by running various governments across the country and states.

The Chief Minister said that Atal ji was as simple and

straightforward as he was firm in his resolve. During the Kargil conflict, the

world acknowledged Atal ji's determination. At that time, Atal ji had said that

war had been imposed on us, and we would give a befitting reply. Without bowing

to any power in the world, Atal ji established India as an atomic power.

Atal Ji proved his successful governance as Prime Minister: Yogi

Adityanath said that Atal ji first had the opportunity to enter Parliament in

1957 from the Balrampur constituency in Uttar Pradesh. He represented the

Lucknow constituency five times. He led successful governance as Leader of the

Opposition and Prime Minister. Today, the entire nation pays homage to the

former Prime Minister.

On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak,

Minister of State for Agriculture Baldev Singh Aulakh, Mayor Sushma Kharwal,

Rajya Sabha MP Brajlal, MLA Neeraj Bora, Legislative Council member Avneesh

Singh, BJP Metropolitan President Anand Dwivedi etc. also paid tribute by

offering flowers at the statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi