Srinagar, 17 August(KMW): While paying rich tributes to Shri Atal Bihari, Bhat said that he was the dynamic leader of the people of India and an ideal for many people. He was the wellwisher of needy and poor people. Bhat said Vajpayee Ji’s contribution to strengthen democracy and good governance has been stupendous. He successfully ran a coalition of 23 parties with his rare persuasive charm and competence.
Bhat added Atal ji emerged as a popular national leader who believed that power is a means of service and led a spotless political life without compromising on national interest and that’s why the people across political and social boundaries showered him with love and respect. He said Atalji was a rare politician, brilliant speaker, poet and patriot, his demise is a loss for the entire country.
Bhat said Atalji was India’s first prime minister to address a public meeting in Jammu and Kashmir since the voilence broke out in 1989 and He held out the ‘hand of friendship’ to Pakistan, significantly, from Kashmiri soil. He offered a dialogue between the Centre and different currents of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir, which was appreciable and can never be forgotten. He said Atal ji has many achievements to his credit, but one of them was starting the famous Delhi-Lahore bus service to foster better relationships between India and Pakistan, including allowing families that lived on either side of the border to meet each other which is itself a history and a commendable policy.
Bhat said If Atalji’s overture is followed up with wise and purposive moves, we could see some real progress in resolving one of the most troubled, complex and bloody disputes in the world i,e Kashmir. He said Insaniyat (Humanism), Jamhooriyat (Democracy) and Kashmiriyat (Kashmir’s age-old legacy of Hindu-Muslim amity) ideology of Atal ji is the only way to resolve the Kashmir issue.
Bhat also said that the mission of Atalji will be continued to take forward in order to maintain peace and prosperity in the country. He said he left us but his guidance, love, care, faithfulness can never be forgotten.
