Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated on Friday that Bharat Ratna and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee laid the foundation of modern India.

He noted, “In addition to serving as prime minister three times, he played a crucial role in removing political instability of the country.”

Chief Minister Yogi paid floral tributes to the statue of former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at Lok Bhavan on his sixth death anniversary.

Addressing reporters, he said, “Atal Bihari Vajpayee had provided the country with a model for good governance, infrastructure and rural development”

Yogi further mentioned that the Antyodaya programmes run during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government reflect his visionary approach.

He said that Atal ji, who was born on December 25, 1924, had a public life of nearly six decades that was completely unblemished and he elevated Indian politics to new heights.

Chief Minister Yogi also referred to Atal ji as an ‘ajaatshatru’ (a person without enemies) in Indian politics, highlighting his status as a universally respected figure.

Reflecting on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s legacy, Chief Minister Yogi noted that Atal Bihari Vajpayee began his public life in independent India under the guidance of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. In 1957, he was elected as an MP from Balrampur (now Shravasti) for the first time.

He added, “Atal ji had the opportunity to serve in the Lok Sabha 10 times and in the Rajya Sabha twice, with five of his Lok Sabha terms being as the elected representative from Lucknow.”

Chief Minister Yogi said that although Atal Bihari Vajpayee was no longer with us, his memories, poems and the values and principles he upheld in Indian politics would always continue to inspire us.

He added that the nation can never forget the efforts made by Atal Bihari Vajpayee to establish India as a global superpower.

Chief Minister Yogi mentioned that, in gratitude for his noble efforts, the grateful nation honoured him with the title of Bharat Ratna.

Chief Minister Yogi was accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Bharatiya Janata Party state president Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, former deputy chief minister and currently Rajya Sabha member Dr Dinesh Sharma, former jal shakti minister Mahendra Singh and many senior BJP leaders in the programme.