Tamil Nadu leaders extol Vajpayee as unparalleled statesman

The Governor in his message expressed shock over his death and termed him as outstanding statesman, a great orator and a role model for politicians.

“A great son of Mother India is no more. But his service to the people of India as the PM of the nation, memories of his speeches in Parliament and outside, and his qualities of tolerance and magnanimity will live on forever,” Purohit said.  “I convey my deep condolences and pray to the almighty God to rest his soul in peace,” he added. Chief Minister Palaniswami, in his condolence message, said Vajpayee was the first person from BJP to be elected as the Prime Minister. He had also served as MP of both the Houses of Parliament for 50 years and also as External Affairs Minister.

Terming his death as a great loss to the country, Palaniswami expressed grief and anguish over his death and offered his heartfelt condolences to his family and the BJP workers.

Condoling his death, senior BJP leader and RS member L Ganesan said his death was an irreparable loss to the nation.

BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan said people using the golden quadrilateral route would always remember him.  Recalling his call for inter-linking of rivers, Tamilisai said he was respected by all. “Apart from BJP, his death was a big loss to the country.” She also recalled how he provided good corruption-free governance by coordinating with 21 political parties.

DMK working president MK Stalin in a condolence message, said Vajpayee was a close friend of late DMK leader M Karunanidhi and accepting the latter’s request the former constituted the Cauvery River Water Commission. “Apart from this, despite mounting pressure and knowing well that his government is facing threat, Vajpayee took a firm decision of not to dismiss the then DMK regime against law and stood by it,” Stalin recalled. He said one of significant achievements of his regime was the Golden quadrilateral project. 

Recalling the encouragement given by him to Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai during his speech in the Rajya Sabha, Stalin said Vajpayee was not only a great scholar, but also a tallest parliamentarian. Stalin also offered his condolences to the bereaved family members and to the PM, and Union Ministers.

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth, in his condolence said ‘’I’m saddened to hear the demise of a great statesman Shri.Vajpayee ji. May his soul Rest In Peace.” 

AIADMK MP V Maitreyan said an era has come to an end. He was one of the tallest leaders of India. TNCC president Su Thirunavukkarasar said his death was a big loss to India and Indian politics. 

MDMK General Secretary Vaiko said, “My heart has broken.  A lovable person, Vajpayee used to treat me as his adopted son. I knew him for 40 years.” 

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and CM V Narayanasamy also condoled the death of Vajpayee.

Former union minister A Raja spoke to DT Next over phone from Tiruchy airport before boarding a flight to Chennai from where he would leave for New Delhi on Friday to attend the former PM’s funeral.

It is a personal loss to me. He saved my life. I was a union minister of state for health during his Prime Ministership. I met with a serious accident at Perambalur in 2002. As soon as the information reached him, he personally intervened and sent army’s air ambulance. I was airlifted from Perambalur and admitted to Apollo in Chennai.

During the same period, India had committed to building a hospital in the name of Rajiv Gandhi at a cost of Rs 100 crore in the Maldives. The cabinet minister was to be sent for signing the agreement, but he added my name. Despite the availability of the cabinet minister he made me sign the agreement with Maldives. It was only during his tenure that 5.9% of GDP (highest ever) was allocated for health. He was a visionary leader. Many infrastructure projects like roads were built only during his tenure. He had a vision for India. He was also a cultured leader.

Though we were ideologically different, he always liked our party (DMK) and our leaders very much. When TR Baalu and I quit his cabinet, he was at a loss. He personally asked us if he could talk to Kalaignar. It took some explaining to convince him that it was a policy decision taken by the party.

He had lot of respect and love for Kalaignar too. He was furious when Karunanidhi was arrested in 2001. He even went to the extent of dissolving Jayalalithaa’s government. Seniors in the cabinet explained to him that it would be challenged legally and suggested an alternative.

When he first learnt about the arrest of union minister Baalu then, Vajpayee the PM had immediately called Baalu over phone and advised him to get out of the police station, knowing full well that the law does not permit it. Legal experts like Arun Jaitley had convinced him then. 

Subsequently, George Fernandes was sent to Chennai to handle the situation. He was emotionally moved. Such was his love and affection for the DMK and his cabinet colleagues. Vajpayee had shared those moments with me personally many a time.

With innumerable flashbulbs flashing simultaneously in the packed hall, Chinnapillai of Kalanjiam fame blinked in discomfort, clutched her sari closer, while trying to cope up with the glare of the audience and the VIPs. Tears welled in her eyes, when there was a thunderous applause the moment her name was called to receive the Stree Shakti award instituted by the HRD Ministry in Delhi.  Incidentally, it was for the first time she had travelled so far from her home and for the first time saw the then Prime Minister AB Vajpayee eye-to-eye. 

Then came the most shocking and unforgettable moment of her life that showed the simplicity of Vajpayee. She bent down to touch his feet. What happened next was the Prime Minister of the largest democracy, moved by her simplicity, touched her feet instead. It was something Chinnapillai, who has been working in the fields in and around Pulliseri near Madurai for nearly 40 years, was not used to. “I will not forget it. I was surprised when a great leader of the country touched my feet,” she said. “I am saddened by the death of a great person,” she said.