The Untold Story of Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Presidential Proposal

A Presidential Proposal Rejected

Did you know that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was suggested as a candidate for the presidency of India but declined the offer? If he had chosen to accept, he could have easily assumed the role. Prior to considering Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for the position of the 11th President of India, there was an internal suggestion within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for Vajpayee to take on the presidency and hand over the prime ministership to Lal Krishna Advani. However, Vajpayee, who was the Prime Minister at the time, rejected this idea, stating that his election as president through majority support would set a dangerous precedent. This incident is detailed by Ashok Tandon, who served as Vajpayee's media advisor, in his book 'Atal Smriti' published by Prabhat Prakashan.

Internal Discussions Within the BJP

Tandon reveals in his book how the suggestion for Vajpayee to move to the presidential office emerged from within the BJP before Kalam's name was put forward. He writes, 'Dr. P.C. Alexander, the Governor of Maharashtra, had influential contacts within the PMO and was signaling that he was a messenger for Vajpayee. This individual was trying to convince Vajpayee that Alexander, a Christian, should be the presidential candidate, as this would make Congress President Sonia Gandhi uncomfortable and diminish her chances of becoming Prime Minister again, given that a Christian president would not allow for another Christian Prime Minister.'

Opposition's Strategy

During this time, voices within the BJP began to rise, suggesting that a senior leader from their own party should be nominated for the presidency. Tandon notes that the entire opposition was attempting to position the retiring President K.R. Narayanan against the NDA candidate, which Narayanan had declined, stating he would only run if he could be elected unopposed.

Vajpayee's Firm Stance

From 1998 to 2004, Tandon served as Vajpayee's media advisor and recounts how Vajpayee dismissed the suggestions from within his party to take the presidency and pass the prime ministership to Advani. Tandon states, 'Vajpayee was not willing to entertain this idea. He believed that a popular Prime Minister becoming president through majority support would not bode well for Indian parliamentary democracy. It would set a very wrong precedent, and he would be the last person to support such a move.'

Consensus with Opposition Leaders

Vajpayee invited leaders from the main opposition party, Congress, to build a consensus for the presidential candidate. Tandon recalls, 'I remember Sonia Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee, and Dr. Manmohan Singh came to meet him. Vajpayee officially revealed for the first time that the NDA had decided to nominate Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for the presidency... There was a moment of silence in the room. Then Sonia Gandhi broke the silence, saying that they were stunned by the selection and had no option but to support him, but they would discuss the proposal and make a decision.'

Reflections on Leadership

Tandon also mentions that K. Natwar Singh, a former central minister in the Congress government, stated that Dr. Alexander held Vajpayee's principal secretary and national security advisor, Brajesh Mishra, responsible for not allowing him to become president. The book also shares insights into Vajpayee's relationships with various leaders during his tenure as Prime Minister.

The Atal-Advani Dynamic

Regarding the well-publicized Atal-Advani duo, Tandon writes that despite some policy disagreements within the party, there was no public bitterness between the two leaders. According to Tandon, Advani always referred to Vajpayee as 'my leader and inspiration,' while Vajpayee called him 'Atal's companion.' He emphasizes that the partnership between Vajpayee and Advani symbolized cooperation and balance in Indian politics.

Significant Events During Vajpayee's Tenure

Tandon recounts the events surrounding the Parliament attack on December 13, 2001, when Vajpayee received a call from Sonia Gandhi expressing her concern for his safety. The narrative goes beyond traditional political biography, presenting a multifaceted portrait of Vajpayee's leadership during critical moments, including the Pokhran nuclear tests, the Kargil War, and the Agra Summit.

A Tribute to a Great Leader

The book 'Atal Smriti' serves as a political memoir that intertwines significant moments in India's recent history with Tandon's experiences working closely with Vajpayee. It explores various aspects of Vajpayee's personality, leadership style, and political philosophy, making it a tribute to his legacy.