The clash of two invincible titans - Indira and Vajpayee

The times of Indira Gandhi and Vajpayee i.e speeches, arguments between them is perhaps the best times of Parliament sessions. On one hand you had Indira Gandhi who became monarch of India while Vajpayee became the first and the last person to criticize every such move by Indira to mar India. At the same time, Vajpayee never hesitated to praise Indira. On the other hand, we have no record of Indira praising Vajpayee. This section will contain a series of such debates between these 2 titans who could be defeated only by themselves. Both were excellent orators and diplomats and I can wholeheartedly say it was a clash of two giants. These 2 leaders transformed India. Even Nehru can be put behind. But Indira and Vajpayee reshaped, redefined and transformed India in their own way. Both were innovators, pioneers and experts in their own way. No Indian should forget both their contributions

Speech 1:
Feb 26, 1970, Lok Sabha

Vajpayee: PM (Indira) says she could deal with Bharatiya Jan Sangh in minutes. Can any democratic PM speak like this? We are engaged in ideological battle. Fight us at that level.If the people are against you, you will be defeated. She says, "I can take care of Jan Singh in 5 minutes". I said in five minutes you cannot take care even of your hair, how can you deal with us When Nehruji was angry atleast he would make a good speech. We used to tease him. But we cannot do that with Indira. She gets angry on her own.
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Speech 2:

Feb 26, 1970, Lok sabha. Indira was absent in Lok sabha, but she had attacked Vajpayee and BJS for raising Indianization slogan. She claimed Indianization defined by Vajpayee as one that spreads communalism. One must read this speech and then analyze and conclude that Indira was wrong. The following is what Vajpayee told.

Vajpayee: "These days PM is displeased with Bharatiya Jan Sangh over Indianization programme. Wherever she goes, she comes heavily upon us and does free publicity for us. We thank her for this. But she has either not understood Inidianization properly or she is deliberately trying to mislead people. Indianization is not related to Muslims alone. It includes 52 crore people of the country. Indianization is not a slogan, but a mantra of national reawakening. Nationalization means only one thing - all citizens of India, whatever their language, relations or state, have undivided and unflinching loyalty to India. India must come first, everything else afterwards. Is there anything objectionable in this? Secularism cannot be strengthened in this country by promoting Muslim communalism. Secularism is not just in Congress slogan, it is a mantra that has emerged from the country's culture. Could India have not been declared a Hindu state after independence like Pakistan declared Muslim state as theirs? Why? Because our culture does not permit it. We never said - believe in one book, have faith in one individual, otherwise you will go to hell. But today secularism means anti-Hindu. Like non-alignment this government secularism also has come into suspicion. I take pride in my Hindutva, but this does not mean I am anti-Muslim or I have a quarrel with Islam. Indianization means giving strength to unity - a unity that lies at the root of variety that lies in India which is also an index of richness of our life"

Truly this speech clearly indicates wherever Congress felt it introduced "anti-secular" word to denote all other parties while it(Congress) continued minority (Muslims) appeasement all the time. In another column I will also post all communal policies followed by the Congress. This does not mean BJP never followed any communal policies. They did. But claiming Congress is secular is a gross blunder on any citizen's part.

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Speech 3:
March 31, 1971
On Bangladesh Liberation
Vajpayee: "We congratulate Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. Nationalism cannot be based on religion. This is East Bengal's very first lesson"
Indira: "You should learn it"
Vajpayee: "We never believed in 2 nation theory. It is completely wrong. When the country was partitioned our party did not even exist. Partition took place even before our birth, and I do not want to point my finger at those responsible for it."
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Speech 4:
Feb 27, 1974
Event: Junior doctors strike in Delhi demanding Rs.500 salary, a city allowance and a non-practising allowance. The government was hell bent on breaking the strike.

Indira: "The very poorest were not complaining or non-coperating or having strikes, but the people who were comparatively better off. I cannot understand this and am surprised"

Vajpayee: "Is there a special effort needed to understand this? The very poor are mute, disorganized, suppressed for centuries, they cannot fight. They freeze to death on the footpath, they cannot loot cloth shops. They may die of starvation, but they won't raid godowns. On the other hand, those who are better off are aware and organized. They would adopt new ways of change. Those who are poor are resigned to their fate,but those who are somewhat enlightened are struggling to change their fate. This is why students, teachers, doctors, engineers are struggling today. Instead of resorting to oppression the government should try and understand their mind. People can be killed with bullets but their hearts cannot be won with bullets."
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Speech 5:
May 14, 1970:
Biwandi, a place in Maharashtra had witnessed worst communal riots
Vajpayee said that National Integration Council was set up to solve communal problems, but not all national parties including Jan Sangh was a part of it. So Vajpayee was angry and blasted at the very concept of NIC and Indira Gandhi.

Vajpayee: "Who should be included in this council depends upon her (PM Indira). But is she prepared to say anything on Muslim communalists? It is known to all that in Bhawandi the Tamir-i-Millat had vitiated the atmosphere. But did anyone name it? The Shiv Sena is being criticized and it should be..We too are being dragged in. We are not here at the PM's pleasure, we are here in spite of her. We too represent the people of the country. But when there is a question of Muslim communalism, their lips are sealed. What is Jaimat-ul-Ulema doing? What is Jaimat -i-Islami doing? What did Tamir-e-Millat do in Bhawandi?The Maharashtra government demanded a magisterial inquiry and not judicial inquiry. Since partition, the nexus between communalists and communists are on the rise and they have PM's blessings. This is the reason why communalism is growing. if Jan Sangh is wrong, show it to us and we are ready to correct it."

Indira: Sir, I am not speaking just to score points. I have never interrupted any Hon.Member while he was speeaking, I have done now because I felt it deeply, and I also have courage of conviction. Shri Vajpayee has used this occasion mainly to attack Muslims and all minorities in general. He as proclaimed with his hand raised in the old Hitler style.

Another member Shri Kanwar Lal Gupta said to Indira that Indira had taken such a training
Indira: What training I took is the business of Indian people, not yours. I do not know the words Vajpayee used, but he has challenged me for something. I would like to tell him I have never shirked a challenge, and never will. We should face the indian people.

Vajpayee: PM should not lose her control
Indira: I am not losing my control, I am only saying with emphasis. I am not given to losing control over myself
Vajpayee: I am also ready to face any type of challenge
Indira: Please do not talk like that. I am used to Vajpayee ji and his party attacking me and even in public statements they demean me by levelling baseless charges. Mr Vajpayee asked me why these riots start. I do not know but speeches like what Vajpayee has made is enough to start one.
Some members said that his speech must be expunged. I do not want so. I want it remain on record so that future generations could see the real thinking of Jan Sangh- not the forceful Hindi that Shri Vajpayee uses from time to time, but the truth behind the words. We saw naked Fascism today. There would be no one in the country, let alone in the House, who would not have respect for Shivaji. Communalism is bad, whether of hindus or Muslims or Sikhs. It is not true that whenever such a thing has flared up, we have not condemned it. Whenever Muslim organization or individual used inflammatory words we have condemned it. At the same time I have already told that majority community have a special repsonsibility, whoever it be- Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs. Shri Vajpayee said in Ahmedabad that people should not take law in their own hands. But for me the rest of his speech looked as if he is emphasizing one point - we shall not do all this. What does this mean? It means 'we shall take law in our hands, we shall take action, we must take steps'

Vajpayee: I had not said so
Indira: This is what I understood the speec to mean. If this is not the meaning I hope he would clarify what it means and tell people not to do so. His own people are not doing so.

Vajpayee: But Congress can do it. Members of Congress party can do it.
Indira: Vajpayee just declared Muslims started the riots. He asked, why? And he himself gave the answer - because they feel that they cannot live in India. So they are launching this deadly battle.
Vajpayee: This is one reason
Indira: All right, it is one of the reasons
Vajpayee: I had said so...There is nothing wrong in it. It is being objected to..
Indira: No objection is being raised. I would like to read some of the speeches made by members of his party who have said that Muslims cannot live in India unless they are Indianized
Vajpayee: Now, it is my turn to challenge the PM. Let her produce a single speech, and I am prepared to take action against that Jan Sangh leader
Indira: Shri Gowalkar
Vajpayee: Show a single one
Indira: Why one, we will show the whole thing. They are presented in NIC.
Vajpayee: Talk about Jan Sangg, the Jan Sangh
Indira: Talk about whom?
Vajpayee: I am talking about you, not the Jamat Ulema. Othwerwise you will get into difficulties. You have seen what speeches Jamat Ulema made
Indira: We oppose all such speeches, whatever the community or organization the people they may belong to.
Shri R.S. Yadav: The house wants to know what you are going to do
Indira: We will take action required. Already an inquiry has begun. I welcome Vajpayee's speech because for the first time we feel he has come over ground. This is not something which can be solved with a speech..

Wow, what a wonderful conversation. Both leaders were correct and I can say none won or lost. Such debates do no longer take place and it is very sad. This was the height at which an issue was being discussed so openly and effectively.

Clinton's wrath defeated by Vajpayee's warmth

Post Nuclear tests in May 1998, Clinton administration was very enraged. Firstly, because they could not detect it before the actual test. Secondly, they were worried that South Asia had reached a nuclear flashpoint. The only way Clinton could have taught a lesson to us was by way of imposing economic sanctions and snap all kinds of aid to us. In fact, he did this. He in fact declared that he will heavily come upon India like a ton of bricks. He also went as far as joining hands with Boris Yelstin (Russia) and China and teach India a lesson. His pace was cut down slowly by Strobe Talbott. However, Vajpayee knew such a step would be taken by US even before the Nuclear test. He fully knew the consequences of the Nuclear test. The trump card Vajpayee used now was Jaswant Singh. He saw in Jaswant Singh the qualities of a stateman like himself. He immediatley asked him to meet the US counterparts and explain the case before them. 14 rounds of talks in 7 countries in 3 continents between Strobe Talbott and Jaswant changed the Indo-US equation forever. Jaswant Singh in his first statement with American counterparts told he had come for a dialog and not negotiation. He said under any circumstances India will not go back as far as nuclear tests are concerned. Jaswant did not go as a beggar. Neither did he speak in a submissive language. He was confident and made a sharp point that India will not negotiate its security interests under any pressure. He did a smart talk of doing smart business with US keeping India's interests on the top of everything.

A business and shrewd mindset oriented American diplomats are no easy people to mess around with. If one can convince them, one is genius. Vajpayee knew that he needed US in India's favor so that US policy on India changes. He had strategically calculated that if US doesn't do any good for India, it should not do any good to Pakistan. For 50 years secretly, US helped Pakistan in all possible ways to counter India and Kashmir issue. Now, Vajpayee had to turn the tables in India's favor. Sensing this as an excellent opportunity, Vajpayee chose Jaswant Singh. What happened behind the doors is revealed in 2 major books sources of which I have not revealed here.

But I have given below two links which prove - India achieved more than the US by these talks further proving that Vajpayee scored the biggest ever diplomatic victory by convincing US at the time when US was so enraged and had imposed sanctions. In fact, Strobe Talbott wanted India to give a chance, while Clinton was not ready to listen. Credit very much goes to Strobe Talbott who convinced Clinton that favoring India is in US interest. The result was a dramatic U turn in world diplomacy. Clinton arriving in India, addressing everyone in the Central Hall, jointly agreeing to be long term partners etc. This enabled US to see us as a long standing ally and economic partner. The long term consequence of all these is that today US wants to outbeat Russia in helping India in arms and ammunition (No doubts, US companies will benefit from this, but US doesn't trade with any damn country).

1. http://hrd.rediff.com/news/2004/sep/21inter.htm
2. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FG27Df04.html

What is so amazing is how Mr.Vajpayee handled the whole situation. Nobody has the guts to match him in this initiative he took. Imagine what would have happened if he did not take this step? US would have imposed severe sanctions. Forced India to sign CTBT and NPT. India would have ended up in an economic mess. There could have been several more dangerous consequences. However, India's fate was fortunate enough to have Mr. Vajpayee as the PM at that dark hour as a shield. Also, note that India did not sign CTBT or NPT and yet ended up as very good friend with the US despite the bad turn of events ("bad" in US perspective before talks were held)

It is astonishing that just when the relationships reached its nadir, Vajpayee converted it into a pinnacle point. It was a victory to his diplomatic brains which were reflected in Jaswant's talks.
Jaswant Singh made one point very clearly that India faced lot of dangers from China and Pakistan. Also, he convinced with all evidences, facts and information from all intelligent sources that Pakistan was doing everything possible to ensure terrorism spreads everywhere. He also proved that India always has maintained and followed nuclear deterrent and conducting tests was a way of showing deadly neighbors that we are strong enough to tackle them.

Imagine that US turned from hostility to friendship. Friendship in such a way that Mr. Clinton personally took interest in coming to India. A sea change happened for the better of India. Be it self interest, better business opportunity or making US pro India, Vajpayee did what no one could do in 50 years and all in a span of some months. What made Clinton personally take this drastic step? The biggest blunder done by Pak army in crossing LoC and attacking Kargil. Clinton shouted at Nawaz Shariff and blackmailed him that he would expose Pakistan and tell the world that Pakistan is behind terrorism. In fact Shariff got so perplexed that he asked Clinton not to do so. Clinton said -"I or India will not come under the blackmail done by you. Ask your forces to immediately withdraw from Kargil". Can you imagine these strong statements from Clinton himself. This means that he was convinced by Jaswant Singh about India's position and the need for India going nuclear. He found a legitimate reason in India conducting nuclear tests. This is evident from Clinton's speech to Parliament in India where he clearly states " US understands India's security constraints and therefore the need for your nuclear test". Do you think a statesman, in fact most influential person in the world at that time - Bill Clinton would have spoken like this? It was possible only because of Jaswant singh and Vajpayee. Kudos to Mr.Vajpayee!!!

In this aspect, I don't think even Indira Gandhi would have been able to do this diplomatic act. She didn't have the warmth which Vajpayee had. Vajpayee had carefully chosen a team of 3 people - Jaswant, Brajesh Mishra and Advani. Only these 3 apart from him knew all that had to be talked. It is not easy to even perceive that 14 rounds of talks were even possible. US would have allowed it only when they saw a lot of sense in what Jaswant might be talking. In fact, Strobe Talbott's appreciation of Jaswant is very much available on the links I provided above. He in fact has called Jaswant Singh a "HERO" and was impressed by his statesmanship.

Thus, Clinton's wrath was met by Vajpayee's warmth. Clinton who had almost decided to punish India made a dramatic U-turn and blessed India with a friendship that is strategically more important to India than the US. This was possible only because of VAJPAYEE.....Jai ho Vajpayee ji ki...

A matchless statement after Nuclear Tests in 1998

"We do not want to cover our action with a veil of needless ambiguity. India is now a nuclear weapons state. We have the capacity for a big bomb now, for which a necessary command-and-control system is also in place. Ours will never be weapons of aggression."

This statement made by Vajpayee was carefully articulated by Mr. Vajpayee himself. For Vajpayee there needs no speech maker. He is the artful speech breaker of his enemies. This declaration seems very straightforward. Everyone, except a diplomat will agree with this. Vajpayee hit two targets with one arrow i.e this statement. On one hand, he warned the whole world that India is no longer a third world country which can be subjected to any pressure. He made this point because Clinton administration was enraged with Nuclear tests and so were Japan and other countries and put tremendous pressure not to do so all the time after 1974. He wanted to express the fact that India is now self confident in developing nuclear weapons. They had the right machinery and intelligence. On the other hand, to ensure that the world understands that India's purpose of testing nuclear weapon was only for its security and not to attack anyone, he made the last part -"Ours will never be weapons of aggression".

This art of speaking has been found only in 3 people post Independent India - Sardar Patel, Indira Gandhi and Mr. Vajpayee himself.

Although this statement and announcement did not alleviate world leaders' worry and India could not escape sanctions, it made sure that the world doesn't conclude that India was on a nuclear war with Pakistan. This is like "Dushman kamzor samhaj kar aakraman na kare aur yeh bhi samjhe ki hum shanti chahte hain". He was in one way cautioning China not to think it was easy to take over India (post 1962 China has been treating India very lightly in nuclear strength).

I fail to find any other short and simple speech as the above one enough to bring the world to jitters and yet keep everyone calm. When specifically asked about sanctions from the US, he made another matchless speech:

''India has the sanction of her own past glory and future vision to become strong. Some of the countries which have talked of sanctions, or have otherwise criticized our action, have themselves not only conducted far more nuclear tests than we have done, but they have also built huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons and delivery systems. Many of them are enjoying the shade provided by somebody else's nuclear umbrella.''

"I would like to assure the people of the world, especially in our part of the world, that there is no cause for worry at all, much less any alarm, on account of India's action. All that India has done is conduct five nuclear tests. You place this fact in the context of the hundreds of nuclear tests that have been carried out by several countries so far, and it becomes obvious that India's action does not in the least warrant consideration of worst-case scenarios.''

''India has never considered military might as the ultimate measure of national strength. The tests are a necessary component of overall national strength. I would, therefore, say that the greatest meaning of the tests is they have given India shakti, they have given India strength, they have given India self-confidence.''

''The cause of India going nuclear is a stark regional and global reality. The world knows the truth about the progress -- or rather, the lack of it -- made by the nuclear powers in the direction of nuclear disarmament. The world community should appreciate the fact that India, the second most-populous country on earth, waited for five decades before taking this step.''

Vajpayee talks in Parliament in 1961 about Civil Code - A very interesting and valid point

Mr. Vajpayee in 1961 raised a very important issue regarding discrimination of marriage laws in the country. Mr Vajpayee speech about this as below:

"Constitution says there should be a common civil code. Why then is a separate law made for marriage for Hindus and Muslims? Should marriage laws be different for each community? Is bigamy bad in Hinduism and good for Islam? How can a rule be applicable to one and not to the other? The Government recently set up a commission inquiring into misuse of Hindus temples and mutts. I welcome it, but do you think churches and mosques are not misused? Why no law has been brought in for this? When a state is concerned, everyone is the same"

Although the liberal attitude of Vajpayee is clearly visible and also the discrimination made while framing laws for one religion and not the other is sharply evident, I regret to tell that when Vajpayee was in power, he did not take any action to solve this problem of non-uniform civil code. However, what needs to be understood is the Congress party was following minority appeasement politics even in 1960's. In fact, one of the ministers at the same time was proposing reservation for government jobs on the basis of religion. Vajpayee sternly rejected it and said "That minister must resign because he did not believe in a secular democracy. A person selected on the basis of communal grounds and not on merit will spread communalism and how then can National spirit grow in the country? If Hindus become communal, then they should be opposed. Communalism of any religion should not be tolerated. Will you ask a candidate his religion before giving his job? We can understand reservation for Harijans and tribals as they are economically backward and socially discriminated against. I cannot find any logic on reservation on religious grounds"

I appreciate on the other hand that when BJP was in power it did not practice the idea of Reservation on religious lines as much as the so called "SECULAR, LIBERAL Congress is practicing". Mr. Vajpayee was against reservation even at that time in 1961 and also when he was PM. I fail to understand how an economist like Manmohan Singh supported the idea of reservation on religious lines. All for vote bank politics. If BJP did vote bank politics only once (1992 Rath Yatra), Congress has been doing it every time and will continue to do so. They have been eroding the fabric of secularism every time by stabbing one against the other. In reality neither Hindus nor Muslims have benefited as far as social fabric is concerned from the Congress.

The speech clearly exposes the biased and communal agenda followed by the Congress Govt since 1950's. Even today there is no national law for Muslims as far as marriage is concerned. It deeply disturbs me as a nation that we don't have a common law even for marriage in our system? The fine point is Vajpayee raising the issue of misuse of churches and mosques and not just Hindu temples. This is the answer to all those who even attempt to call Vajpayee a communal.

Why Vajpayee deserves Bharat Ratna?

In the recent debate on who should get the Bharat Ratna- one of the most prominent names that came up was Atal bihari Vajpayee. So long as Sonia Gandhi rules this country he will never be credited for anything, She will infact take all the credit - the best case being removal of his photos from Golden Quadrilateral Project hoardings (her whole family name must be used everywhere but no other name as she believes that only Gandhi family are true Indian patriots). I am at least happy that the Congress did not announce Sonia's name for Bharat Ratna by saying "She has done exemplary public service by renouncing her PM gaddi".

In contrast, Mr. Vajpayee is that one leader who has done so many things (the reason for this blog is to make people aware of it) for the country from the grass roots to highest level that he truly personifies public service. His bold decisions - Nuclear test, Pakistan peace process, Agra Summit, golden Quadrilateral Project, proposal for SAFTA, Enduring relations with China, Russia and USA, Economic reforms, and many more - each one of this can be elaborated endlessly. These decisions have not just impacted a common man, but also nation as a whole. The 5 years of Golden rule of Vajpayee as against 50 years of Congress is a sharp comparison in itself. Even after 50 years of ruling this country, congress has not done as much as Vajpayee has done in 5 years despite leading a coalition government where each party had its own agenda. Sonia Gandhi doesn't even have the status to reach this water surface of public service, forget its depth.

Who is Congress party to judge Vajpayee for all that he has done to this country? Have the Congress party people forgotten that Vajpayee rose above petty politics and congratulated Indira Gandhi for her war and nuclear test. Did anyone from the Congress rise above party politics and congratulate Vajpayee personally on making India 6th nuclear state in the world? People must know even if they have no authority to vote on this matter that Vajpayee is truly a deserving candidate. All that the Congress knows is to use Gandhi name, garner votes, and do nothing. One needs to understand that there are very few leaders who sacrificed their self interests and did service only to improve India and Indians namely Sardar Patel, Nehru (not much,although must be given credit), Indira Gandhi and Vajpayee. If all of these excluding Vajpayee have got Bharat Ratna, then Vajpayee does deserve. I don't find a leader at the national level who has done so much public service in a career spanning 5 decades. As one reads this blog and all the articles, one will realize why there is no match for Mr. Vajpayee.

Bharat Ratna is given for someone who has changed India and is truly a RATNA. Vajpayee is surely one of them.

Vajpayee's Quote in election rally

मैं हार लेने नहीं आया हूँ, जीत लेने आया हूँ
i.e "I have come to take victory not garland"

Vajpayee's remark of frustration on Pakistan

"जो लोग हमसे पूछ रहे हैं कि पाकिस्तान से कब बात करेंगे वह भूल गए हैं कि ५५ साल से भारत ही हैं जो बात कर रहां हैं "

i.e "People who ask us when we will hold talks with Pakistan are perhaps not aware that over the last 55 years, every initiative for a dialog with Pakistan has invariably come from India".

Vajpayee's famous quote on Pakistan

Referring to inherent problems with Pakistan, Vajpayee once said in parliament - "हम इतिहास बदल सकते हैं भूगोल नहीं। मित्र बदल सकते हैं पडोसी नहीं। इस पड़ोस के साथ रहना ही है। तो क्योंना इनसे निपटने का तरीका बदल डाले। "

i.e "We can change History, but not Geography. We can change friends, but not neighbors. We have to live with this neighbor, so why not change the way we deal with it"

Nehru's take on Vajpayee

Once while introducing Vajpayee(the Opposition leader at that time) to a visiting British prime minister, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said, "He is a young leader of opposition who is always criticising me. But I see in him a great future."

Vajpayee calls Indira as "Durga"

In a rare appreciation of ruling party leader in Indian politics by an opposition leader, Vajpayee called Indira gandhi "DURGA" for the way she fought 1971 Indo-Pak war. Indeed the discussion of this war is not eminent here. However, what needs to be noted is that unlike narrow minded leaders, Vajpayee rose above party lines and appreciated a leader(ruling PM) for all the bold steps she took to defend the country.

Do you have any such example of Congress party even praising Mr.Vajpayee for anything for any of his one achievement? Such is the broad mindedness of this matured politician

Books published by Vajpayee

1. Lok Sabha Mein Atalji (a collection of speeches);
   
2. Mrityu Ya Hatya,
3. Amar Balidan,
   
4. Kaidi Kavirai Ki Kundalian (a collection of poems written in jail during Emergency);
5. New Dimensions of India's Foreign Policy (a collection of speeches delivered as External Affairs Minister during 1977-79);
   
6. Jana Sangh Aur Musalman;
   
7. Three Decades in Parliament (Speeches in three volumes);
   
8. Amar Aag Hai(a collection of poems) 1994;
   
9. Meri Ekyavan Kavitayen;
   
10. Four Decades in Parliament (English)-4 Volumes of Speeches in Parliament, 1957-95
    

It just shows how talented Vajpayee is. He knows the art of speaking and writing. He is so diplomatic in his answers. Answering a question without hurting a person is what Vajpayee excels in. He leaves his critics and listeners to interpret the fine lines

Positions Held in Political Career

References: http://www.bjp.org/leader/atalji.htm

1951	Founder-Member, Bharatiya Jana Sangh (B.J.S)
1957	Elected to 2nd Lok Sabha
1957-77	Leader, Bharatiya Jana Sangh Parliamentary Party
1962	Member, Rajya Sabha
1966-67	Chairman, Committee on Government Assurances
1967	Re-elected to 4th Lok Sabha (2nd term)
1967-70	Chairman, Public Accounts Committee
1968-73	President, B.J.S.
1971	Re-elected to 5th Lok Sabha (3rd term)
1977	Re-elected to 6th Lok Sabha (4th term)
1977-79	Union Cabinet Minister, External Affairs
1977-80	Founder- Member, Janata Party
1980	Re-elected to 7th Lok Sabha (5th term)
1980-86	President, Bharatiya Janata Party (B.J.P.)
1980-84, 1986 and 1993-96	Leader, B.J.P. Parliamentary Party
1986	Member, Rajya Sabha Member, General Purposes Committee
1988-90	Member, House Committee Member, Business Advisory Committee
1990-91	Chairman, Committee on Petitions
1991	Re-elected to 10th Lok Sabha (6th term)
1991-93	Chairman, Public Accounts Committee
1993-96	Chairman, Committee on External Affairs Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha
1996	Re-elected to 11th Lok Sabha (7th term)
16 May 1996 -31 May 1996	Prime Minister of India; Minister of External Affairs and also incharge of Ministries/Departments of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Coal, Commerce, Communications, Environment and Forests, Food Processing Industries, Human Resource Development, Labour, Mines, Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Planning and Programme Implementation, Power, Railways, Rural Areas and Employment, Science and Technology, Steel, Surface Transport, Textiles, Water Resources,Atomic Energy, Electronics, Jammu & Kashmir Affairs, Ocean Development, Space and other subjects not allocated to any other Cabinet Minister
1996-97	Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha
1997-98	Chairman, Committee on External Affairs
1998	Re-elected to 12th Lok Sabha (8th term)
1998-99	Prime Minister of India; Minister of External Affairs; and also incharge of Ministries/Department not specifically allocated to the charge of any Minister
1999	Re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha (9th term)
13 Oct.1999 to 13 May 2004	Prime Minister of India and also in charge ofthe Ministries/Departments not specifically allocated to the charge of any Minister

The famous Sonia and Vajpayee verbal clash in Parliament

References: http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=8693

The event: Joint Sitting of both houses in Central Hall on Mar 26th 2002. POTO was to be debated and here are some of the selected sentences (tried to convert to Hindi from English words found on news articles. Please forgive me if the language is not apt or speech is distorted):

Sonia: "Pradhan Mantri ji, aap ka waqt agaya hain. Aap to aapki kursi ki garima bachani hogi athava sangh parivar ke dabav mein kaam karna hoga. Aap ki ganana ka waqt agaya hain"

Vajpayee could not tolerate these chosen words. He treated them as personal attack on his integrity and selfless dedication of his political career. He reacted strongly (like how Bheeshma reacted to Shishupal's scathing attack on him)


Vajpayee: "Main is charcha main nahin padna chahta tha. Lekin vipaksh ki neta ne mujhe majboor kar diya hain. Mujh par yeh aarop lagaaya jaa raha hain ki dabav mein kam karta hoon. Yeh Achi baat nahin hain. Main kisi ke dabav mein kam nahin karta. Mera Sansadiya kaam iska saakshi hain. Main pradhan mantri bana to congress ki meharbani se nahin, balki congress ke virodh ke bavajud. Jab tak log chahenge main pradhan mantri bana rahoonga. Main aap ko bata sakta hoon ki pichle kitne pradhan mantriyone kis kis ke dabav main aake kya kya kaam kiya hain. Aap ke party ne videshi dabav mein akar anu asthra parikhsa rok diya tha. Sab tarikhe tayaar thi. Lekin videshi dabav main aake parikha ko radh kar diya gaya? Humne sabke dabav ke chalte huye bhi anu parikhsa kar dikhaya hain. Jab kargil main yudh ho raha tha, to Clinton ji ne hamse Pakistan se baat kar ne ka dabav dala. Lekin humne keh diya- Jab tak ek phuta zamin pakistan ke saath hain, hum baat nahin karenge. Sab cheezon ki seema hoti hain. sab chup ho jaye. Vipaksh ko kadava sach sun ne ki adat nahin hain. Sonia ji kehna kya chahti hain? Woh hoti kaun hai? Jab woh Italy main thi aur rajniti se koson door this, main 1957 se bharat aur bharat ke rajniti main kaam kiya hain. Har roj ek agni parikhsa se guzarte hain. aaj aap mujhe khatgare main khada karna chahti hain? Kya adhikar hain aap ko? Apne desh ko aap se jyada jaante hain. Aap ke kehna ka matlab kya hain? Aap mujhe yaad kyon dila rahi hain ki meri pramukh kartavya kya hain aur sangh parivar ke dabav main na aye. yeh parivar ka mamla hain. Aap dakhal mat dijiye"

In short, Sonia reminded Vajapyee that his moment of reckoning had come and he had to decide between PM's post and buckling under Sangh Parivar's pressure and pass that POTO. Vajpayee started telling he shouldn't be reminded of his primary duties by an outsider who has had no poliltical experience. In an acrimonious reaction he said that their(Congress) previous governments worked under several pressures and sacrificed the interest of the country and that his government conducted nuclear tests despite international pressure. She had no right to challenge his primary responsibility. It was a matter of his family and therefore dared her not to interfere.

Biodata (Profile)

Father's Name : Shri Krishna Bihari Vajpayee
Date of Birth: 25 December 1924
Place of Birth: Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)
Marital Status: Unmarried

Educational Qualifications: M.A. (Political Science) Educated at Victoria (now Laxmibai) College, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) and D.A.V. College, Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh)

Profession: Journalist and Social Worker
Permanent Address: A-302, Laplaz, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) Tel. (0522) 220909

The great politician, poet and orator