Even after his death, the great unifier, Atal Behari Vajpayee is unifying all the political adversaries. A condolence meeting for him in Kerala witnessed the withering away of political hatred for the moment
Kerala Governor Justice P. Sathasivam Thiruvananthapuram remarked that that Atal Behari Vajpayee was a world leader and he commanded the respects of the entire world. He was addressing a condolence meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram on September 1, 2018, before the immersion of Atalji’s ashes in the holy ghats of Parashurama temple in Thiruvallam, Thiruvananthapuram by the BJP State President Adv PS Sreedharan Pillai and his party colleagues. Hon Governor stated that even those who were his opponents behaved to him with love and affection. He sacrificed his wisdom and energy for the country. Vajpayee would live forever due to the excellent rapport and relations he cultivated. Governor paid floral tributes to the ashes of Atalji kept in a decorated pot.
Hon Governor of Kerala, P Sathasivan pays floral tributes. Also seen are Adv PS Sreedharan Pillai (R) and Prof PJ Kurien (L)
A galaxy of prominent leaders and personalities in the state spoke on occasion. They lauded the multifaceted personality of the departed leader. Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Oommen Chandy, former Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Prof PJ Kurien, senior BJP leader K Raman Pillai, former ISRO chairman Dr G Madhavan Nair, and centenarian BJP leader Adv K Ayyapan Pillai were in attendance. BJP veteran leader O Rajagopal MLA, BJP’s RS MPs Suresh Gopi and Prof Richard Hay, former Congress ministers K Muraleedharan and VS Sivakumar (Both MLAs), Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, former Additional chief secretary Dr D Babu Paul, former DG of Police Dr TP Senkumar, JSS leader and former MLA Adv. Rajan Babu, former diplomat T.P. Sreenivasan also attended the meeting. An array of social and political leaders etc. participated in the programme.
Hon Governor stated that even those who were his opponents behaved to him with love and affection. He sacrificed his wisdom and energy for the country
BJP national general secretary Muralidhar Rao lit the traditional lamp in front of the pot of ashes put on public display. Oommen Chandy said that Vajpayee upheld the culture and tradition of Bharat. He added greatness to whichever portfolio he handled when he was in office. When he was the Prime Minister, he was very much sympathetic towards Kerala. He was the leader of the whole country despite sticking on to his ideologies.
Prof Kurien said that Atalji was the great son of Bharat and statesman. While he was the Prime Minister of the country, despite his party’s decision to allow the position of the deputy speaker of Lok Sabha to their MP, extended the same to Congress when he (Kurien) approached him as an emissary of the then Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. He stuck on to democracy but always sympathised with the Opposition. Our country has not seen any other leader who silenced even the Opposition with his oration. He is a role model for all politicians.
Senior CPM leader MV Govindan Master said that Vajpayee stood for the foreign policy good for the national integration and national interests. He took the initiative for the co-operation among the States for the unity of the country. He dedicated his whole life to the stands and policies he raised. His life was idealistic as well as spotless. He was a leader with the quality of a great guru. He will be remembered by the whole world as a great ruler and an orator.
BJP national general secretary Muralidhar Rao said that Vajpayee demolished the barriers which divided people by religion, politics, language and caste. He served the people with utmost sincerity. He never forgot the basic ideas of democracy. That is why the whole world looked for his opinion on Kashmir issue. He supported the good initiatives of the ruling parties when he was in Opposition and vice versa. He enjoyed the acceptance of societies. He stood for the political morality. He made BJP what it is today.
Dr Babu Paul said that Vajpayee turned a politician, statesman and at last Bharat Ratna despite carrying the image of a swayamsevak. He fought against the odds and became the PM. So he occupied more space in the hearts of our people than what Jawaharlal Nehru could bag.
Shashi Tharoor, MP, said that Atalji was a humane leader. He saved the history and nature. Even the Opposition parties respected him. He maintained warm foreign relations by protecting the nation simultaneously.
Senior RSS leader S Sethumadhavan said that a real leader takes birth when his words and deeds turn the same. He carried the RSS ideology until his last breath. He possessed the powerful idealism, commitment and value-based life.
Immersion of ashes took place in all 14 revenue districts in the state. All functions took place at 11 am on September 1, 2018
