Vajpayee praises Narendra Modi for his able leadership

Former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has showered praise on Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, saying that his able leadership has taken the state to new heights.

"Gujarat has had all-pervading and all-inclusive growth under chief minister Narendra Modi who has introduced new initiatives and schemes," Vajpayee said in his message on Golden Jubilee celebrations of the state.

In 2002, Vajpayee had advised the Gujarat chief minister to follow "Rajdharma", during his visit to the state after post-Godhra riots.

"Fifty years have passed in a whisker (Gujarat and Maharashtra were separated from Mumbai state on May 1, 1960) and people of Gujarat are celebrating their golden jubilee. I would like to congratulate them," Vajpayee said in the message.

"Gujarat, which had played a pivotal role in freedom struggle, has once again emerged a leader in the country in establishing Su-raj (BJP concept of good state)," he said. 

"The credit of this thing goes to hard work, liveliness and struggle of the people of the state. I am happy that this liveliness of people of Gujarat has got further momentum under the able leadership of Modi," Vajpayee said.