Bathinda mourns Vajpayee’s demise

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 16

City residents mourned the demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who breathed his last at the AIIMS, New Delhi, on Thursday.

Talking to Bathinda Tribune, Malwa College Dean NK Gosain said, “The country has lost a great leader, diplomat and statesman who believed in the politics of principles. His life is a lesson for the new generation of politicians. I remember he didn’t cling to power even after his government lost the no-confidence motion by a single vote in 1999.”

He said Vajpayee had a charismatic personality. Besides, he was a great orator and a poet. “I pray to the Almighty that his soul rests in peace,” he added.

Social activist Gyanchand Bansal termed it as a huge loss for the country. He remembered Vajpayee as a visionary, reformist and revolutionary leader who worked tirelessly for good relations with the neighbouring countries, including Pakistan.

Amritpal Singh, a city businessman, said the country has lost one of its tallest leaders and nobody can fill the void left by Atal jee.

He said Vajpayee would always be remembered for the politics of principles that he practiced throughout his life. “He was the one who turned India into a nuclear power state,” he added.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Sunil Singla said the party’s local unit would hold a condolence meeting to pay tributes to the great leader at its office here on Friday.