Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born on 25th December, 1924 in a Brahmin family in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. He received his school education from the Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Gwalior and did his Bachelor degree from Victoria College, Gwalior. He completed his post-graduation in Political Science from Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College, Kanpur, and Uttar Pradesh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a brilliant student from the beginning.
He was one of the founders of the Bharatiya Jana Sang. He had also served as its national president from 1968 to 1973. In 1955, he contested for the first time in the Lok Sabha elections, but could not get success. He tried again and in 1957, he was elected for the Lok Sabha election from Balrampur of Gonda District, Uttar Pradesh as a candidate of Jan Sangh. From 1957 till 1977 till Janata Party’s establishment, Atal Bihari Vajpayee remained a leader of the Jana Sangh’s parliamentary party for twenty years. In the government of Morarji Desai from 1977 to 1979, he remained foreign minister and shaped and raised India’s image abroad.
In 1980, he left the Janata Party and played key role in the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was handed over the charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s chairmanship on April 6, 1980. He was twice also elected for the Rajya Sabha.
In 1957, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was elected to the second Lok Sabha from Balrampur, a constituency in Uttar Pradesh. His entry into Parliament marked the beginning of a remarkable political journey. Despite being a relatively young leader, Vajpayee quickly gained recognition for his eloquence, wit, and sharp debating skills. He stood out not only within his party but also among the opposition, frequently engaging with seasoned leaders of the Congress, including Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Vajpayee’s speeches and arguments in the Lok Sabha reflected his deep understanding of national issues, and his ability to articulate his views with clarity impressed many. It was during this period that Pandit Nehru, took notice of the young Parliamentarian. Vajpayee’s dedication, intellect, and potential were evident, even to Nehru, who saw in him the promise of a future leader. Their interactions in the House became a defining feature of Vajpayee’s early political career. Nehru was mesmerized by Vajpayee’s speech in Parliament, and predicted: “This young man one day will become the country’s Prime Minister.”
Nehru’s acknowledgment of Vajpayee’s talent was a significant moment, as it highlighted Vajpayee’s growing influence and set the stage for his future leadership role in Indian politics. His journey from Balrampur to the national stage had just begun, and it was clear he was destined for greater responsibilities.
He remained the Prime Minister for three times- the first for 15 days, from 16 May 1996 to 1 June 1996, the second for a period of 13 months, from 19 March 1998 to 26 April 1999 and the third for five years, from 13 October 1999 till 22 May 2004. In his third and final term as the prime minister, Vajpayee served for the full five years. While his term took off again with another crisis — the Kandahar Hijack in December 1999 — going ahead he brought some reforms which would pave the way for country’s growth.
The attack on Parliament in 2001 was another crisis Vajpayee had to battle during this term but his visionary projects such as – National highway project, encouraging private sector and foreign investments, reducing the minimum government holding in PSBs, introduction of Asset Reconstruction Companies were awidely admired.
In 2004 BJP lost the General Elections to Congress-led UPA. In fact, the 13th Lok Sabha had been dissolved before the full-term as the BJP was confident it would come back to power again. However, the party witnessed a crushing defeat and Vajpayee refused to be the leader of opposition taking the responsibility of the defeat. In 2005, he declared his retirement from active politics.
Vajpayee had a multifaceted personality. He was a journalist, editor, poet, author, and parliamentarian. He was a great patriotic figure who was awarded with Bharat Ratna on 27 March, 2015 for his outstanding services to the nation. He was known for his liberal, social and cultural view. He also edited Panchjanya and Veer Arjuna. He began his life with the determination of living as a pracharak of the RSS, and lived with that determination. This determination took him to reach the highest position of the nation. Vajpayee was the first Prime Minister of the NDA government to complete 5 years of non-Congress Prime Minister-ship without any major hurdle. He has credit of forming a government with a coalition of 24 parties. It is evidence of his great leadership quality. His life and political career was full of great vision and achievements. This great son of mother India was died on 16th August, 2018. He was a great human beings, widely respected by the people of all castes and creed, who did not care for his personal life and remained unmarried and served the nation throughout his life.
Now, he is no more with us but his oratory, liberal views and leadership are still remembered by the people around the world.