PM, President pay tributes on Vajpayee's death anniversary

<p class="p1">Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP top brass today remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary.</p>
<p class="p1">The Prime Minister tweeted a montage of old pictures of Vajpayee with a message: "Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nation's progress."</p>
<p class="p1">The montage begins with a motivational poem 'Geet Wahi Gaata Hun' in Vajpayee's voice, followed by a voice-over by Modi that the country will never forget the contribution of the BJP stalwart.</p>
<p class="p1">"Under his leadership, India held its head high as a nuclear power. As a politician, a Member of Parliament, a Minister, or Prime Minister, Atal ji has performed very well in many roles," Modi added.</p>
<p class="p1">Modi also visited 'Saidaiv Atal' memorial of the former prime minister and paid floral tributes.</p>
<p class="p1">BJP National President JP Nadda too took to Twitter and said: "I bow down to one of the biggest pillars of the Indian politics — Atal Ji, on his death anniversary. Your contribution to turning BJP into this long family tree is commendable."</p>
<p class="p1">Union Home Minister Amit Shah said: "Bharat Ratna awardee Atal Bihari Vajpayee was one of the poignant voices of patriotism and Indian culture. Apart from being a dedicated politician, he was also a skilled leader who laid and expanded the foundation of the Bharatiya Janata Party."</p>
<p class="p1">Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior. He was the first leader from the BJP to become the Prime Minister.</p>
<p class="p1">He served as Prime Minister thrice – for 13 days in 1996, then a period of 13 months from 1998 to 1999, and then for a full five-year term between 1999 and 2004. He passed away on August 16, 2018, in Delhi after a long illness.</p>.