Vijay Goel’s book on Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a heartfelt tribute (Image Credit: Vijay Goel)
3-time Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee stands out as one of the most towering figures in Indian politics. He was not only the first non-Indian National Congress Prime Minister to complete a full five-year term, but also the longest-serving BJP Prime Minister until 2024. His passing at the age of 93 in 2018 was one of the biggest losses for Indian politics.
Because of the deep bond the two shared, while several biographies have been written about his life, the one by senior BJP leader Vijay Goel stands out.
Before leaving, I simply said, ‘Sir, if there is any work, please let me know. ’ He only replied, ‘Aaya karo’ (keep coming). And the PA said-‘It means what it means! He sent word asking if she was coming, and when I said yes, he came too. I have met hundreds who have told me-Atal ji came to my home!
“When Vajpayee ji came out on parole after the Emergency, very few people would go to meet him. But I never stopped visiting him. I continued to go regularly and invited him to all my functions. I remember when he became the Prime Minister and I went to meet him for the first time. I still remember the look I saw in his eyes—as if he was saying-look where we have reached. I was so emotional myself that I could hardly speak. I was young, inexperienced and I went straight to his PA and asked him, that what did he mean by ” Aaya Karo. Aaya karo, keep coming. “I deeply admired him, and I also learned a lot from him. Along with facts, I have tried to present stories. There were contradictions and challenges—balancing ideology with coalition compulsions. For instance, when Jayalalithaa tried to withdraw support, discussions were even held at my home. I was then only an MP and not in the PMO. At first, they were not speaking, so I began the conversation by joking that she could make good food and Vajpayee ji could make good poetry. That broke the ice and conversations flowed. Coalition compulsions existed, but he always handled them beautifully. “His worries are reflected in his poetry. He thought deeply about life and mortality. He was never in a hurry to achieve everything at once. With his age, health, and wisdom, there was truly no one like him. He did not become Prime Minister through shortcuts. He rose by travelling across the country, meeting ordinary people lane by lane and house by house. That is why people felt personally connected to him. I was surprised by how many people actually knew him personally. Even when he was not in the Lok Sabha or active in public life, people still wanted to meet him. He was a man with a golden heart and a great composure. He never showed any negative reaction when Advani ji became Leader of the Opposition. For him work and party came first, His only aim was to ensure that the government functioned well and the nation moved forward. In his last days when he was unwell, his family took great care of him.
Since then the doors of his home were always open for me, I was always welcome. He was one of the best-known Hindi orators in Parliament, with speeches that are remembered even today. The popularity and love that he got is rare in today’s time. He had earned this love, this respect which is rare in today’s time.”
