New Delhi: On the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh fondly recalled the statesman’s sharp wit, poetic soul and unmatched sense of political decorum, bringing alive lesser-known anecdotes from his life.
Speaking at a special poetry recital by Kumar Vishwas held in Vajpayee’s honour, Rajnath Singh narrated a memorable incident from Vajpayee’s visit to Pakistan. According to Singh, a woman, deeply impressed by Vajpayee’s speech, jokingly asked him if he would marry her in exchange for Kashmir. Vajpayee’s reply, delivered with trademark humour, left everyone amused he said he was ready to marry her, but wanted Pakistan as dowry. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee had an amazing sense of humour,” Singh remarked, drawing applause from the audience.
Marking the day also observed as Good Governance Day, Singh highlighted that Vajpayee was unique in Indian politics for maintaining dignity even while criticising opponents. He recalled a speech in Himachal Pradesh where Vajpayee, standing alongside then Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, cleverly said the state had “bhadra” (gentle) ministers but lacked “vir” (brave) ones a comment that carried criticism without bitterness.
Rajnath Singh also reflected on Vajpayee’s deep connection with poetry. He shared how the former prime minister often expressed political thoughts through verses, including during the BJP’s expansion phase in the 1990s. Vajpayee likened the party’s growth to the joy of seeing one’s family expand a metaphor only a poet-politician could craft.
Recalling moments from Vajpayee’s later years, Singh spoke of a poem written in 1998 while Vajpayee was hospitalised, describing it as a powerful testament to his resilience and refusal to surrender to adversity.
“Vajpayee shone on India’s political horizon and will continue to shine forever,” Singh said, summarising the enduring legacy of a leader who combined statesmanship with sensitivity, humour with humility, and power with principle.
