Letter to BS: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the leader with a big heart

However, Vajpayee was ambiguous on some crucial issues when he should have taken a firm stand to uphold the Constitution and secularism

This refers to “The poet, the politician, the PM” (August 17). Atal Bihari Vajpayee (pictured) was popular not only for his leadership and statesmanship, but also for his personal qualities. Even those who differed with him, held him in high esteem. Vajpayee had a big heart that accommodated people irrespective of their religion, race or region. He put humanity above faith and did not besmirch his reputation with attempts to polarise people. It was not in his nature to do anything that caused divisions within the society. He was good at building consensus and that helped him in leading a