Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is also called ‘Ajatshatru’ of Indian politics. Known for his brilliant speech style and friendly nature, Atal Bihari Vajpayee entered the political arena for the first time in the year 1954. He also got this chance by chance. In fact, Jawaharlal Nehru’s sister Vijayalakshmi Pandit decided to give up her MP to represent India at the United Nations and resigned from the Lucknow seat. The by-election was announced and Jana Sangh also announced to field its candidate on this seat.
Jana Sangh surprised by giving ticket to 29-year-old ‘boy’: When Jana Sangh declared its candidate, all the political pundits were stunned. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay stunned everyone by dropping a 29-year-old ‘boy’ in the arena of Lucknow. Those boys were none other than Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In the political corridors, the results were predicted even before the elections. And when the results came, the predictions came true. Jana Sangh could not do much in this election. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had to face defeat. He finished third.
Vajpayee’s heart was deeply hurt by the defeat in the very first election. He had campaigned vigorously… had worked hard and gave sharp speeches, which were praised by the opposition parties as well. Well, the matter has come and gone. General elections were announced in the year 1957. This time Vajpayee again entered the election battle. Not one… from three seats. Lucknow, Barampur and Mathura. He was defeated in Lucknow and Mathura, but managed to win the election from Balrampur seat.
never forget pandit Deendayal Upadhyay’s Ehsaan: Famous author Vinay Sitapati writes in his book ‘Jugalbandi: BJP before the Modi era’ that Atal Bihari Vajpayee may have been defeated in the 1954 elections, but he did not forget the favor of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.
Always used to keep Panditji’s picture on the table: Sitapati writes quoting senior journalist and BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta that, ‘Atalji’s table always had Deendayalji’s picture kept on it… I was surprised to see this, because he (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) usually does not do this kind of work. were.’
Were shocked to remove Nehru’s picture: Atal Bihari Vajpayee believed in the politics of principles and he had acceptance in every party. Pandit Nehru also admired him and Vajpayee also respected him equally. When Vajpayee became the foreign minister in 1977, he noticed that the picture of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had been removed from his office in South Block. He expressed his strong displeasure over this and later the picture of Pandit Nehru was put back there.