ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE:A LEADER OF MILLENNIUM
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on 25 December 1924. He is one of the greatest Indian politician who was 10th prime minister of India. He is a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (currently ruling party),he was the first prime minister from outside the Indian National Congress.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee is awarded BHARAT RATNA , India's highest civilian honour. Now,his birthday 25 DEC is celebrated as "GOOD GOVERNANCE DAY".
He started his social work after he joined RASHTRIYA SWAYAMSEVAK SANGH in 1939 and became a full time worker in 1947. Vajpayee also went to jail in August 1942 for 23 days for participating in QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT .
In 1957 Vajpayee lost to Raja Mahendra Pratap in Mathura for Lok Sabha but was elected for Balrampur.There .his oratorical skill impressed Jawaharlal Nehru that he predicted that Vajpayee would someday become PM of India .
From 1975 to 1977 , Vajpayee was arrested along with other opposition leaders during Internal Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi.
His main political career started in 1980 when Vajpayee formed a new party Bharatiya Janata Party .He became the BJP'S first President. BJP opposed sikh militancy that was rising in Punjab . BJP supported 'RAM JANMABHOOMI MOVEMENT' to build a temple dedicated to Lord Rama in Ayodhya.
BJP grew in strength in 1995 and won 1996 general election, BJP emerged as single largest party in the LOK SABHA but was unable to obtain majority. His first term lasted for 13 days. After fall of government between 1996 to 1998 Lok sabha was dissolved and fresh elections were held. In 1998 BJP once again ahead of others. BJP formed NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE(NDA) and Vajpayee sworn as Prime Minister, when AIADMK under Jayalalithaa withdrew support and government lost by single vote in Lok sabha. Lok Sabha was again dissolved and fresh election were held.
In 1999 general election BJP-led NDA won 303 seat out of 543 to secure a comfortable stable majority. Atal Bihari Vajpayee took oath as Prime Minister for 3rd time.It was Atalji's charismatic influence that helped BJP gain a unstoppable majority.
His legacy as Prime Minister is rich one and is remembered even a decade after his term ended. Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a leader who refused to bend before any pressure. He took some courageous decisions ,it included Pokharan nuclear test, wise economic policies, massive infrastructure projects related to national highways, and the Golden Quadrilateral. His policies laid the foundation for long term sustained growth.He extended hand of friendship with Pakistan by starting Delhi-Lahore bus service. In may 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan brought the Iron man inside him . Atlast we can say that Atalji is a man with "COURAGE OF CONVICTION".
