Vasundhara Raje Reflects on Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Leadership During Nuclear Tests

Vasundhara Raje Honors Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Legacy

Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, expressed on Thursday that the guidance provided by then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests significantly influenced her understanding of governance in times of crisis.

Speaking at an event in Jhalawar to commemorate the 101st birth anniversary of the late Vajpayee, Raje reminisced about her tenure as a junior minister in his government.

She recounted how Vajpayee personally advised her on navigating the sensitive and challenging circumstances surrounding the nuclear tests. He emphasized the importance of exercising caution, particularly when addressing questions from the media and the public, as the situation garnered both national and international attention.

The former Union Minister noted that these experiences were pivotal in shaping her perspective on governance during crises. Reflecting on her interactions with Vajpayee, Raje highlighted his strong belief in ethical politics, recalling his assertion that he could never engage in opportunistic alliances for the sake of power.