A Sad Demise: Vajpayee the 'Bhishma of Indian Politics’ says CM of AP

HYDERABAD: N Chandrababu Naidu the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh led a galaxy of leaders from the two Telugu states in paying homage to the departed leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee by calling him as the ‘Bhishma of Indian politics’ who greatly contributed to the development of Hyderabad.

“Several roads and highways were developed during the Vajpayee regime. He was instrumental in the development of IT in Hyderabad, international airport at Shamshabad and Outer Ring Road in Hyderabad. He inaugurated Cyber Towers in Hyderabad. Vajpayee also took the initiative for development of national highway from Tada to Ichapuram in Andhra Pradesh, sanctioning World Bank funds for Velugu project and sanctioning 50,000 tonnes of rice under the food for work programme.”

In his condolence message, governor ESL Narasimhan said he was saddened by the demise of Vajpayee. “He was a great visionary, a statesman par excellence, a great orator, poet and above all a great human being, all in one. The passing away of this great son of India is a loss not only to India, but humanity at large. Vajpayee would always be remembered as an astute leader who upheld democratic traditions and values,” Narasimhan said and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to members of the bereaved family.

Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao described Vajpayee as a great parliamentarian who believed in human values and was in politics with values. “His passing away is a great loss not only to the state but also to the entire nation,” KCR said.

BJP state leaders, including state president K Laxman, Dattatreya, floor leader G Kishan Reddy and BJP city president N Ramachander Rao, MLA Chintala Ramachandra Reddy garlanded the portrait of Vajpayee at the state BJP office at Nampally and paid rich tributes to the departed leader.