Atal chose defeat in trust motion to uphold Constitution: Naveen

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik here on Friday heaped praise on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee describing him as “a true democrat who chose to lose on the floor of the House upholding the values of our Constitution.”

The CM was speaking at an all-party memorial meet for Vajpayee attended by politicians across the spectrum. Naveen was indirectly referring to the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on April 17, 1999 which Vajpayee lost by just one vote (269-270), which ended the NDA government’s 13-month stint.

Naveen, who served as a minister in Vajpayee’s cabinet from 1998 to 2000, called the former PM “an astute leader who showed to the world the art of managing a coalition government with its myriad diversities.”

Stating that he will always cherish his association with Vajpayee, especially because it was during his initial years in public life, Naveen said, “He embodied a unique combination of grace, idealism and tolerance in politics…A true statesman who was admired across the political spectrum. His depth of vision and understanding of issues was unparalleled…A man of firm principles and an idealistic poet.”

Though organised by the state BJP, the Vajpayee memorial meeting brought political arch-rivals to a common podium, all of whom showered praise on the former PM who died on August 16.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik said Vajpayee’s political civility, democratic values and nationalist outlook stood out. “Vajpayee never needed to be powerful to become a popular and a pro-people PM,” Niranjan said. Leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra echoed similar views.

Union minister Jual Oram credited Vajpayee as the leader who was behind his political success. “I came from a modest family and a first generation politician. Whatever success I have got as a politician is because of Vajpayee and LK Advani,” Jual said. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan mentioned Atal as a statesman who had acceptability as a leader across political divide.

Several ministers of Naveen Patnaik’s council, Surya Narayan Patro (food supplies), Ashok Panda (tourism and culture), Bikram Keshri Arukha (parliamentary affairs), former minister Damodar Rout, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patsani, BJD Rajya Sabha members Prasanna Acharya and Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, among others, attended the meeting.