THE Fiji Labour Party has expressed its condolences on the passing away of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former prime minister of India.
Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said Mr Vajpayee was a principled leader and a great statesman who cherished democratic values and believed in a strong, united and prosperous India.
“I had the good fortune to meet him a number of times both as leader of opposition and then as prime minister of India,” Mr Chaudhry said.
“He (Mr Vajpayee) was a humble person with a passion for poetry, an eye for well-crafted artefacts and a subtle sense of humour,” he added.
Mr Vajpayee served thrice as prime minister, ushering in many popular reforms. He was well-respected for keeping India stable and united under his watch.
Mr Vajpayee was the first non-congress leader since India’s independence in 1947 to complete an entire term in office as head of a BJP-led ruling alliance between March 1998 and May 2004.
He was admired by friends and rivals alike for his rich oratory, his poetic vibes and his statesmanship.