Governor, CM pay tributes to Vajpayee on 100th birth anniv

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 25

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th birth anniversary at Shimla’s historic Ridge today.

On the occasion, the Governor said, “Atal ji was a great politician, statesman and the tallest leader of Indian politics who always remained upright for the cause of the nation.” He said Vajpayee had a deep affection for Himachal Pradesh and its people.

Responding to a question on the occcasion, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said he was going to participate in the two-day Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Karnataka. He said he also plans to meet Union Ministers on December 28.

Sukhu said during the tenure of the present state government, the pace of development in Himachal Pradesh has significantly increased, with enhanced revenue generation supporting infrastructure and public welfare initiatives.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur also paid floral tributes to Vajpayee and said that he has done a lot for Himachal Pradesh as he used to consider the state his second home.

Meanwhile, residents of Prini fondly remembered former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee by offering floral tributes on his birth anniversary today. Local leaders and villagers acknowledged his invaluable contributions to the development of the area and the nation, with several highlighting the many projects initiated by him during his tenure. Vajpayee used to call Manali his second home and during his tenure as a PM, he used to stay at Prini village in Manali for days. District BJP unit Kullu also celebrated the occasion and paid tribute to their leader.

Former minister Govind Thakur paid tribute to the former PM, highlighting the significant impact of the Atal Tunnel Rohtang on Manali-Leh highway, which provided all weather connectivity to snowbound Lahaul from Manali during winter.