Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis plans memorial for Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Mumbai

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced that a memorial would be set up for former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the city. 

The BJP state unit had organised a condolence meeting at the NCPA auditorium to pay tributes to Vajpayee. An urn containing the mortal remains of Vajpayee were brought to the city on Wednesday from Delhi. The ashes were first kept at the BJP headquarters at Nariman Point and later taken to the NCPA auditorium during the condolence meeting. Noted actor Manoj Joshi and poet-actor Kishor Kadam read out Vajpayee’s poems in the beginning.

Fadnavis said that Vajpayee had received admiration from legendary Harivanshrai Bachchan. The CM said that Vajpayee had told many that he derived inspiration from Veer Savarkar’s poems. He cited Vajpayee’s famous poem, ‘Rag Rag Hindu Mera Parichay...’ which explains the very meaning of Hindutwa. It was written when Atalji was a Class 10 student.

Fadnavis said that despite not being an economist, Vajpayee connected with people and knew about their welfare. 

“That is the reason that highest employment of 6 crore per year was achieved during his tenure,” he said. Describing Vajpayee’s demise as end of an era, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik said that his entire life was dedicated for the country. He said that Vajpayee was an inspiration to many. He recalled JanSangh days and Vajpayee’s contribution in shaping up the BJP.