Union Minister Nitin Gadkari addressing the book release program of 'Atal Memoirs' at India International Centre. Awakening
Jagran correspondent, South Delhi. Atal Bihari Vajpayee's thoughts were relevant yesterday, are still relevant today and will remain so in future also. His personal conduct is ideal as a politician. His basic principle was – there should be differences, but not discord. There may be differences in thoughts, but there should not be differences in the mind.
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said these things during the launch of the book "Atal Memoirs" by Vajpayee's media advisor Ashok Tandon at the India International Center on Wednesday.
He said that his tolerance, sensitivity, inclusiveness and tendency to take everyone along made him different from others. He dedicated his life to the country with nationalism, principles, ideas and dedication and worked with the concept of rebuilding the nation. His ideological legacy formed the basis of our party and today we are at the pinnacle.
His 'Policy of Conviction' was the basis of his life, with which he never compromised. He considered his own people as his own and also accepted his opponents. For him, politics was not a means of gaining power but a tool for rebuilding the nation.
He always used to say that it does not matter who will be the Prime Minister, what matters is what the country will be like. Even though he is not among us today, his thoughts, behavior, literature, conduct and dignity are a source of inspiration for the coming generations. This book will inspire future generations in politics.
Used to give big lessons in small things
Gadkari further said that he used to give big lessons in few words. He had said, "No matter how important the work is, if someone comes to the office, do not return without meeting. Give less time, but definitely meet." Similarly, he used to say, "When we are not ministers, we are party workers, but when we become ministers, we belong to the country. Even if the opposition brings the right work, it must be done."
I always follow his advice. Gadkari narrated the anecdote that when I was in the opposition, there was chaos in the Assembly. Then he said to me, "Is all this necessary to express protest? Is there no power in words? Protest can be done while remaining within limits." And this also inspired me a lot.
At the same time, journalist Rajat Sharma said that in his student life, when Vijay Goel was the President of DUSU and I was the General Secretary, he was the guest at the inauguration of the student union in Daulat Ram College and I was presiding. When he asked about the college, I casually said that it is called 'sister's college'. In his address, Atal ji made this point with humor and seriousness, which made it seem as if Saraswati was present on his tongue.
Had set an example by not becoming President in place of Dr. Kalam
The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had set an example of political correctness. If he had accepted the offer made to him in the BJP to hold the country's top constitutional post, then in the year 2002, Atal would have been the 11th President of the country and his successor Lal Krishna Advani would have been the Prime Minister.
Ashok Tandon told these things. He said that 'Vajpayee was not ready for this. He said that I am a popular PM. I have majority. For any popular Prime Minister to become President on the basis of majority will not be a good sign for Indian parliamentary democracy and will set a wrong precedent.
On the Atal-Advani duo, Tandon writes that despite differences on some policy issues, relations between the two leaders never deteriorated publicly. According to Tandon, Advani always described Atal ji as 'my leader and source of inspiration' and Vajpayee also addressed him as his 'Atal Sathi'.
He has written- 'The pair of Atal ji and Advani has been a symbol of cooperation and balance in Indian politics. Together, both of them not only established the BJP but also gave a new direction to the organization and the government.