Vajpayee enjoyed good rapport with leaders across political spectrum

An astute politician known for his great oratory skills, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee won the hearts of many across the political spectrum with his wit and sobriety and was by far one of the most respected leaders in the country's history.

Vajpayee enjoyed a good rapport with leaders of different political leanings including Chandrashekhar, Sonia Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, Pranab Mukherjee, Sharad Pawar, and Left stalwarts like Harkishen Singh Surjit, A B Bardhan and former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

Though his government collapsed first after 13 days and then again after 13 months, his pragmatic approach attracted many allies towards the BJP which was earlier considered as "untouchable" especially after the Babri Masjid demotion.

During a debate on trust vote in Parliament, opposition leaders had said that Vajpayee was a good leader but in the wrong party. He responded by saying, "Vajpayee to achha hai, par party theek nahi hai. Toh achche Vajpayee ka kya karne ka iraada rakhte hain. (You say that Vajpayee is good, but his party is not...Then what do you intend to do with the good Vajpayee.)