Brightest star of Indian politics: Sumitra Mahajan on Vajpayee

Expressing grief over former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's death, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan termed the late BJP leader as the "brightest star" of Indian politics.

"The brightest star of Indian politics set today... the unique jewel which was adorning the crown of mother India, lost in the deep recesses of darkness and left a void behind," Mahajan said in a statement.

She called Vajpayee "one of the greatest sons of India" whose attractive charm was never lost on the masses.

She remembered him as an "experimental" and yet also a "practical" man, whose thoughts, addresses and poetry issued forth straight from the heart.

"As a politician, his identity came to rest on his principles, courageous decision-making, farsightedness, politeness, and sense of humour. He would make his point clear with wit and clarity. When he would put his point forward in the style of a philosopher, his philosophy, thoughts, and astonishing talent would come to be visible to all," she said.

Vajpayee, whose politics of moderation in a hardline party propelled the BJP to power for the first time in the 1990s, died on Thursday here following a prolonged illness at the age of 93.

--IANS

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