Vajpayee's efforts made India establish as a nuclear power: PM Modi
New Delhi, Aug 20 (IBNS): Remembering his predecessor late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said it was his efforts which made India establish itself as a nuclear power in the world.
Speaking at the prayer meeting for Vajpayee, who passed away on Thursday, Modi said: "Atal Ji's efforts ensured Indian became a nuclear power. He attributed the tests of 11th May 1998 to the brilliance of our scientists. Two days later, India tested again & showed what a strong political leadership can do. He never buckled under pressure. He was Atal after all."
Modi said Vajpayee never compromised on his ideology despite spending several years on the opposition bench.
"Atal Ji spent several years in Opposition. Not once did he compromise on his ideology. He distinguished himself as a Parliamentarian and was proud of our Parliamentary traditions," Modi said.
Appreciating the late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Modi said Vajpayee dedicated his life in serving people of India.
Speaking on Vajpayee's role in the paradigm of coalition politics, the Prime Minister said: "When Atal Ji formed the Government for 13 days, no party was willing to support him. The Government fell. He did not lose hope and remained committed to serving the people. Atal Ji showed the way when it came to coalition politics."
Modi said it was Vajpayee's role that had made 'terrorism' an important issue at the world stage.
"When some were cornering India on the Kashmir issue, it was Vajpayee Ji who changed the narrative. Due to Vajpayee ji, terrorism became an important issue at the world stage," Modi said.
His last rites were performed in New Delhi on Friday.
The former Prime Minister was 93 at the time of his demise.
Vajpayee, whose first term as the Prime Minister lasted only 13 days in 1996, returned to the top position in 1998 to lead the nation till 2004.
A bachelor all his life, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2015.
Vajpayee was elected to the Lok Sabha (lower house) ten times and twice to the Rajya Sabha (upper house).
He represented the Lucknow parliamentary seat in Uttar Pradesh until 2009 when he retired from active politics.
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