On Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s death anniversary, PM Modi remembers his vision for a developed India

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his seventh death anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the former leader’s legacy remains a source of inspiration in building a strong, self-reliant India.

“Remembering Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. His dedication and spirit of service towards the all-round progress of India continue to inspire everyone in building a developed and self-reliant India,” PM Modi wrote on X.

Later, Prime Minister Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, union ministers, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visited Vajpayee’s memorial Sadaiv Atal to pay their respects to the BJP veteran.

A poet and statesman, Vajpayee was prime minister for over six years between 1998 and 2004 and is credited with pushing economic reforms that paved the way for a period of high growth.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh also paid homage to the former Prime Minister. “I pay homage to Atalji on his punyatithi. He worked all his life with the resolve of building a strong and prosperous India. The nation will always remember his tremendous contribution,” he wrote on X.

Home Minister Amit Shah wrote: “Former Prime Minister, founding member of the BJP, and Bharat Ratna recipient, the revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, laid a strong foundation for development and good governance while advancing value-based politics. Atal ji was a statesman who never compromised on principles and ideology, even if it meant losing his government.”

“Under his leadership, India successfully conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran and delivered a decisive response to enemies in the Kargil War. Through his thoughts and actions, Atal ji will continue to inspire us all to follow the path of national service. On the death anniversary of the revered Atal ji, I pay my respects to him,” he added.