The Fall And Rise Of A Resilient PM

Atal Bihari Vajpayee would always be known as the man with no haters. His political acumen and statesmanship during the Kargil War with Pakistan immediately after returning to power after losing support in Lok Sabha is often cited as a stellar example of how to maintain a balance between politics, administration, public welfare, and populist agenda.

However, what stands out in India’s political landscape from that time (1998-99) is how Atal Bihar Vajpayee emerged as a stickler for rules and laws even at the cost of losing power. Vajpayee’s resignation in Lok Sabha came on the back of a no-confidence vote, which he lost by just one vote.

PM Narendra Modi in his tribute to the former Prime Minister and president of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday cited this incident to define him as a man of principles who would not resort to horse-trading or opportunistic politics for power.

As India celebrates the 100th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, let’s take a look at his remarkable political journey, particularly during his tenure as the Prime Minister of India.

The Political Landscape Of 1996

Technically, Vajpayee became the Prime Minister for three terms. But could serve a full term only once. To understand Vajpayee’s win and tenure, it’s important to look at the political landscape of the time.

The Bharatiya Janata Party bagged its first win in the Lok Sabha elections in 1996 on the back of a successful Hindutva campaign, the 1992 stock market scam, and charges of corruption and maladministration against Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao and his government government.

With voters polarised, the BJP dealt a massive blow to the Congress and bagged 161 seats while the Congress managed to rake in 140. This resulted in a hung assembly with BJP emerging as the largest party. Vajpayee was invited to form the government and became the Prime Minister of India in 1996. But he served only 13 days due to a lack of majority support.

1998 Lok Sabha Elections

However, the 1998 general elections transformed Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s political fortunes. Between 1996 and 1992, there were two Prime Ministers — HD Devegowda and IK Gujaral. Thus the period between 1992 and 1998 was one of intense turmoil.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under Atal Vajpayee’s leadership, emerged as the single-largest party again in 1998, securing 182 seats in the Lok Sabha. This victory allowed Vajpayee to form a coalition government with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which included several regional parties.

Despite the initial success, Vajpayee’s government faced significant challenges. The coalition was fragile, with differing ideologies among its members. While Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was born on December 25, 1924, served as the Prime Minister of India for 13 days in his first term, his government managed to stay in power for 13 months during his second stint as PM.

Nonetheless, Vajpayee’s diplomatic skills and ability to forge consensus among diverse political factions were instrumental in maintaining stability during this period.

Atal Bihari Vajapyee’s Achievements In His Second Term As PM

During his brief tenure from March 1998 to April 1999, Vajpayee implemented several transformative policies that had a lasting impact on India’s socio-economic landscape. His 13 months were marked by wars and political crises, concerning particularly Pakistan. 

His internal policies on education and farmers’ welfare are also widely hailed.

1999 Kargil War And Political Fallout

One of the defining moments of Vajpayee’s second term was the Kargil War of 1999. As tensions escalated between India and Pakistan, Vajpayee’s government faced intense scrutiny. He effectively mobilised national resources and rallied public support during this challenging time for India.

However, the war meant he had little time for party politics. Political rivalries intensified and led to a vote of confidence that would ultimately seal his government’s fate.

In April 1999, Vajpayee’s government lost the crucial poll by just one vote after the AIADMK withdrew its support. Here, too, Vajpayee displayed unwavering policy of sticking to the rules and law as he refused to withdraw cases against ally and AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha. This ultimately led to the fall of his government.

Despite calls from allies to challenge the Opposition’s tactics, Vajpayee chose to uphold democratic principles by resigning instead of resorting to unethical political manoeuvres. This decision further cemented his reputation as a principled leader who prioritised integrity over power.

Vajpayee’s Comeback

Despite the fall of his government in 1999, Vajpayee’s popularity remained intact. In the subsequent elections later that year, he returned to power with 182 seats in favour of the BJP.

This time he completed a his term of five years, becoming the first non-Congress Prime Minister to serve a full term from 1999 to 2004.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s legacy extends beyond his policies; he is remembered as a statesman who embodied grace and dignity in politics. His birth anniversary is now celebrated as Good Governance Day every year on December 25, reflecting his commitment to effective governance and accountability in public service.