వాజ్‌పేయి ఎన్డీఏ ప్రభుత్వం 1998–2004: పోఖ్రాన్, కార్గిల్, రహదారులు

Vajpayee's NDA government, 1998–2004: Pokhran, Kargil and the highways

Atal Bihari Vajpayee — Poet, orator, statesman. A rare leader who was respected even by his opponents. He was the Prime Minister for 13 days in 1996 and led the NDA government from 1998 to 2004. It was the first full-term government in the country led by the BJP. These are the key events of that period.

The art of coalition politics

In 1998, the BJP formed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with over 20 parties. Vajpayee was known for bringing together parties with different ideologies and regional aspirations. Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party from Andhra Pradesh was a key supporter. G.M.C. Balayogi of the TDP became the Speaker of the Lok Sabha — the first Dalit leader to hold the post.

May 1998 — Pokhran-2 nuclear tests

Within two months of the formation of the government, India conducted nuclear tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan, on May 11 and 13, 1998. A team of scientists led by APJ Abdul Kalam and R. Chidambaram carried out these tests in the utmost secrecy. India declared itself a nuclear weapons state. Many countries, including the US, imposed sanctions. Within a few days, Pakistan also conducted nuclear tests. May 11 is now celebrated as "National Technology Day".

1999 — Lahore Bus, down by a single vote

In February 1999, Vajpayee traveled by bus from Delhi to Lahore to deliver a message of peace. The Lahore Declaration was signed. However, in April of the same year, a trust vote was held in the Lok Sabha after the AIADMK withdrew support. The government lost by just one vote. It was one of the most tense votes in the history of the Indian Parliament.

Kargil War (1999)

During the caretaker government, in May 1999, it was revealed that Pakistani soldiers and infiltrators had occupied the Kargil mountain peaks. The Indian Army launched "Operation Vijay". Fighting in extremely difficult terrain and on high peaks, the occupied areas were recaptured by July. Hundreds of soldiers lost their lives. July 26 is celebrated as "Kargil Vijay Diwas". The NDA won the October 1999 elections again.

Development programs

• Golden Quadrilateral: A four-lane national highway project connecting the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. It has changed the face of the country's highways.

• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (2000): All-weather roads for villages.

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (2001): Universalization of primary education.

• Telecom Policy (1999): Reforms that led to the mobile revolution.

• Disinvestment of public sector enterprises: Creation of a separate ministry. There was a heated debate on this.

Challenges, dark days

The hijacking of IC-814 flight in December 1999, the release of terrorists in exchange for the release of passengers; the terrorist attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001; the Gujarat riots of 2002 — the major crises of this period. Vajpayee's famous remark during the Gujarat incidents that "Rajdharma should be followed" is well-known.

2004 — Unexpected defeat

The NDA went to early elections with the "India Shining" campaign, believing that economic growth was good. But the result was against it due to the dissatisfaction of the rural people and farmers. The Congress-led UPA came to power. The TDP was defeated in Andhra Pradesh too.

Inheritance

Vajpayee was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2015. He passed away on 16 August 2018. His birth anniversary, 25 December, is celebrated as "Good Governance Day".

Conclusion

Strong decisions, coalition harmony, respectful relations with opponents — Vajpayee's rule is a valuable chapter in Indian democracy. His motto of "Pride in victory, no despair in defeat" is an ideal for today's politicians.

Photo: Government of India / Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India)