BJP might be towering over Indian politics today but there was a time when BJP and its predecessor the Jan Sangh had trouble winning at all. In 1958, the Bharatiya Jan Sangh had contested the Delhi Civic elections and after a loss the two friends – LK Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee – had gone to watch Raj Kapoor’s Phir Subah Hogi.
Advani had said at an event in 2011: “We lost...to drown our sorrows, we went to a movie together at Paharganj's Imperial cinema. Incidentally, the Raj Kapoor movie was titled Phir Subah Hogi...and we finally came to power at the Centre.”
Former PM Vajpayee famous for his political acumen and brilliant oratory skills, is also an ardent sports lover. He was also a big advocate of peace with Pakistan during his prime ministership.
So, when Sourav Ganguly and his Indian cricket team called on him before embarking on a historic tour of Pakistan in 2004, he had a message of peace for them.
He was also a great foodie, and loved fish and puchkas.
Senior leaders visit Vajpayee
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had visited AIIMS last evening as well, BJP president Amit Shah and Nadda got into a huddle at the hospital, as anxiety grew about the state of the 93-year-old leader's health, sources said.
"The condition of Atal-ji is critical. The doctors are trying their best. AIIMS will issue a fresh health bulletin shortly," Nadda said.
Several government events have either been postponed or cancelled.
A health bulletin from the premier hospital in the morning said Vajpayee's "condition continues to be the same. He is critical and on life-support system".
"Both his lungs are not in good condition because of pneumonia on both sides and his kidneys are also weak. He is critical," a source said.
The former prime minister was admitted to the hospital on June 11 with a kidney tract infection, urinary tract infection, low urine output and chest congestion.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah were among the many leaders who visited Vajpayee in the hospital.
BJP veteran L K Advani, who along with Vajpayee expanded the party's base in 1990s, also visited the former PM.
"We all should pray for his recovery. His condition is serious...We should not forget that he is a leader who wanted to make the country strong. He wanted peace not only in our country but in the whole world," Abdullah said.
A number of chief ministers, including Madhya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan, West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee, Bihar's Nitish Kumar and Assam's Sarbananda Sonowal, are expected to arrive here later today. Several governors, including Assam's Jagdish Mukhi, are also arriving in Delhi.
"He is our idol. His presence itself gives us inspiration and encouragement. We are praying for his health," Chouhan said.
Bihar Chief Minister Kumar said, "I have been fortunate to receive much affection and advice from Atal-ji and an opportunity to understand public life... He was like a guardian to me. I wish him speedy recovery." Some members of the bachelor leader's relatives have come to Delhi from Gwalior.
Last night, the hospital said Vajpayee's condition had worsened and he was on life-support systems.
A team of doctors form various departments including nephrology, gastroenterology and cardiology are taking care of Vajpayee.
Vajpayee, a diabetic, has only one functional kidney. He suffered a stroke in 2009 that weakened his cognitive abilities. Subsequently, he developed dementia.
A large crowd of mediapersons and others have gathered outside the hospital in south Delhi to get updates on Vajpayee's heath, affecting movement of traffic on the road today. Policemen have been deployed to manage the crowd and traffic outside the hospital.
Delhi Police has put traffic restrictions around AIIMS.
With inputs from PTI
