Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 26: Remembering Atal Behari Vajpayee on his 94th Birth Anniversary, the former Union Minister, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta said that Shri Vajpayee was the first Prime Minister who was popular in all three regions of J&K, although as Jana Sangh, BJP leader his major role of activities was not as high in the Valley as in Jammu areas.
Prof said, "But first as Foreign Affairs Minister, he presented the Indian position world over viz UN, quite ably to make it clear that this State was legally and constitutionally an integral part of India and Pakistan has no locus standii in Kashmir except that of being an aggressor and usurper. As Prime Minister, Vajpayee gave rebuff to Pakistan in Kargil in 1999 to demonstrate that every inch of this land would be defended with full might. And thus, later on in 2003 made military ruler General Musharaff to publically commit that no territory under control of Pakistan, would be allowed for cross border terror activities".
These observations were made by the former Union Minister, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta last evening while interacting with fans of Atal Behari Vajpayee. He said Shri Vajpayee was having no match on several accounts including in his oratory, vision, statesmanship and several other virtues. And, thus was a very popular personality. Moreso in all the regions of this State having varied characteristics.
He pointed out that first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru was popular in Kashmir Valley in forties when he supported Quit Kashmir movement of NC Leader, Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, But Jammu was annoyed as the agitators were engaged in raising highly objectionable slogans like that of " Dogro Kashmir Chhod Do".
Later Shri Nehru had more annoyed Jammuites when Maharaja Hari Singh was put in exile to appease his friend Sheikh Mohd Abdullah, and the Maharaja who had signed the Instrument of Accession to make legally J&K part of Indian Union was made to die in a sad situation, he added. |
