New Delhi: Former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee celebrates his 82 birthday on Monday with a host of national leaders including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greeting him on the occasion.
Singh, who drove to the BJP leader’s 6-Krishna Menon Marg residence this morning, presented him with a bouquet and wished him a long life.
The Prime Minister spent about five minutes with Vajpayee.
Leader of Opposition L K Advani also visited the party stalwart and greeted him as scores of BJP supporters thronged the residence to greet him on his birthday.
Vajpayee’s involvement in politics began as a freedom-fighter during the Quit India Movement of 1942-1945. He initially adhered to Communism but soon shed that for membership in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, an organisation propounding Hindutva.
Vajpayee became a close follower and aide to Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the leader of the right-wing, pro-Hindu Bharatiya Jana Sangh(BJS).
As the leader of BJS, he expanded its political appeal, organisation and agenda. In spite of his youth, he soon became a respected voice in the opposition - one of reason and intelligence.
His broad appeal brought respect, recognition and acceptance to a rising nationalist cultural movement.
Two-time Prime Minister, Vajpayee led coalition government that was formed in 1999 lasted its full term of five years – the only non-Congress government to do so.
Vajpayee's birthday has come just after a crucial BJP national executive meeting in Lucknow during which he gave an indication that he is opting out of the race for prime minister.
He announced that he would propose the name of L K Advani, his long time colleague, for prime minister's post.
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