Vajpayee, Modi redefined India’s leadership, says Sudhanshu Trivedi

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi with Telangana BJP President Kishan Reddy and former Governor Vidyasagar Rao in Hyderabad on Tuesday. | Photo Courtesy: Nagara Gopal

Hyderabad

In Indian history, only two people have been born as leaders who later became prime ministers – Vajpayee and Modi, said BJP’s Rajya Sabha member and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, drawing parallels between former prime minister Atal Bihari Bajpayee and current prime minister Narendra Modi.

At the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture organized by the ABV Foundation in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Mr. Trivedi highlighted the significant contribution of the region under Vajpayee’s leadership and bestowed Hyderabad for the programme. The location. A lecture was organized in the capital on Tuesday to inaugurate the birth centenary celebrations of the late Prime Minister.

Mr. Trivedi praised Vajpayee’s decisive leadership, citing the Pokhran nuclear test as a historic moment that showcased India’s strategic capabilities. He noted that Vajpayee’s tenure from 1999 to 2004 saw the creation of 60 million jobs and substantial foreign exchange growth, which laid the foundation for India’s economic stability. He also credited Vajpayee with launching the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and strengthening India’s nuclear capabilities, which Modi further expanded upon.

Former Governor Vidyasagar Rao reflected on Vajpayee’s calm and firm leadership during crises including the 2001 Parliament attack. “Vajpayee ensured the victory of democracy, Parliament functioned as normal the very next day,” Mr. Rao said. He also spoke about Vajpayee’s foresight during the Emergency and his ability to unite different political ideologies in a common vision.

Mr. Rao praised Vajpayee’s contribution to infrastructure development through the Golden Quadrilateral project and his efforts to strengthen India’s international standing. He urged the BJP to support Vajpayee’s vision of a caste-free society and a governance model based on nationalism and inclusiveness.

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy shared a personal anecdote from his conversation with Vajpayee, describing him as a selfless leader dedicated to the ideology of nationalism.

“Vajpayee was instrumental in creating three new states Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand without compromising national integrity,” he said, adding that the centenary celebrations would continue till December 2025.