Vajpayee knew the art of managing coalition : Patnaik

Sinking political differences, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today attended an all-party meet organised by BJP to pay tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and hailed him as a champion of coalition politics.

He described Vajpayee as a man of firm principles and an idealistic poet and said the BJP patriarch was an astute leader who showed to the world the art of managing a coalition government with its myriad diversities.

Patnaik's party Biju Janata Dal had entered into an alliance with BJP when Vajpayee was the prime minister and ran a coalition government in the state from 2000 to 2009.

Patnaik said that he "cherished" his association with Vajpayee.

"I will always cherish my association with late Vajpayeeji especially as it was during my initial years in public life," said Patnaik, who was a minister in Vajpayee's cabinet from 1998 till he took charge as Odisha chief minister in 2000.

Speaking about the former prime minister's commitment to democractic values, he said "Vajpayeeji is a true democrat who chose to lose on the floor of the House upholding the values of our Constitution. His death is truely end of an era."
He said, Vajpayee's death is a great national loss and a personal loss him also. "He (Vajpayee) embodied a unique combination of grace, idealism and tolerance in politics. A true statesman who was admired across the political spectrum. His depth, vision and understanding of issues was unparalleled."
Referring to the former prime minister's links with Odisha, he said "Vajpayeeji had a large heart with a special corner for Odisha - love that was equally reciprocated by the people of Odisha. We will miss you Vjapayeeji."
"We should learn from Vajpayeeji on political courtesy, democratic values and how to remain above party lines despite being in power," he said said adding that Vajpayee was popular because he had been a "people's prime minister."
BJP state president Basant Panda described Vajpayee as a "Bharat Mata's true son."