Raise the level of debate and see that the Parliament sets new standards in public life as a real tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Vice President Naidu

Speaking at a function organized to unveil the Portrait of former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee by the President of India, in the Central Hall of the Parliament today, the Vice President said that Atal ji strengthened the democratic roots through his insightful interventions and exemplary demeanour in Parliament.

Paying glowing tributes to the former Prime Minister, he said: “Atal ji exemplified what the strengthening of democracy meant through his ability to make a coalition government work."

He demonstrated as to how democracy can be deepened through good governance, he added.

Describing the former Prime Minister as a visionary leader who ushered in a ‘connectivity’ revolution in the country, he said that Atalji gave an unprecedented fillip to building of national highways, rural roads, air travel infrastructure and massive expansion of the telecom sector.

“For him connectivity was the key enabler of economic development and national growth”, the Vice President added.

Naidu said that Atal ji had an uncanny ability to connect with people from all walks of life and with political parties of different ideological moorings. Atal Ji had virtually no enemies and was rightly called as Ajatshatru, he said.

"He was a great administrator, great politician, great human being, great orator, great Parliamentarian and a great ideal role model," Naidu added.

He said that Atal Ji was one of the tallest leaders of contemporary India, who had left an impressive lasting legacy that “could inspire all of us to shape the India we all are dreaming of”.

The Vice President said “be tolerant to the others view, be tolerant to the mandate of the people. To collectively move towards that India we all want, would be a fitting homage to Atal Ji”, he added.