New Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday paid tributes to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary, remembering him as a statesman who gave Indian politics a decisive alternative rooted in national interest and cultural nationalism.

In a post on social media platform X, Shah said that with the founding of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Vajpayee offered a new political vision that placed the nation’s interests at the centre of governance.

“Whether it was making India a nuclear power or realising the ideals of good governance, under Atal ji’s leadership, the NDA government presented the country with a governance model that advanced heritage and science simultaneously,” Shah said.

He described Vajpayee as a “powerful and unforgettable figure” in Indian politics, known for his commitment to public service and organisational strength.

Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Vajpayee served as a parliamentarian for over five decades. He was elected to the Lok Sabha ten times and to the Rajya Sabha twice. As India’s 13th prime minister, he led the first non-Congress government to complete a full five-year term from 1999 to 2004. He also served two shorter terms as prime minister, lasting 13 days and 13 months respectively. During his tenure, India conducted the Pokhran nuclear tests and achieved victory in the Kargil conflict.

Vajpayee passed away in New Delhi on August 16, 2018. His birth anniversary is observed as Good Governance Day.

Shah also paid tributes to Bharat Ratna Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the founder of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), on his birth anniversary.

In another post on X, the home minister said Malaviya regarded education as the cornerstone of social reform and inspired generations of youth to pursue modern education rooted in Indian cultural values through the establishment of BHU.

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“Mahamana also played a vital role in shaping the press as an instrument of nation-building. His lifelong commitment to eradicating untouchability and his efforts for farmers’ welfare will always be remembered,” Shah said.