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{{Use Indian English|date=November 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| image              = File:Atal Bihari Vajpayee (12 June 2002).jpg
| image              = Atal Bihari Vajpayee (crop 2).jpg
| caption            = Official portrait {{c.|2002}}
| caption            = Official portrait
| order              = 10th
| order              = 10th
| office              = Prime Minister of India
| office              = Prime Minister of India
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| predecessor3        = [[Yashwantrao Chavan]]
| predecessor3        = [[Yashwantrao Chavan]]
| successor3          = [[Shyam Nandan Prasad Mishra]]
| successor3          = [[Shyam Nandan Prasad Mishra]]
{{collapsed infobox section begin |cont=y |Parliamentary offices
| office4            = [[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation|Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation]]
| term_start4        = 1 July 2002   
| term_end4          = 22 May 2004      | predecessor4        = [[Maneka Gandhi]]                             
| successor4          = [[Oscar Fernandes]]                            | term_start5        = 13 October 1999  | term_end5          = 1 September 2001           
| predecessor5        =  ''ministry opened''                              | successor5          =  [[Jagmohan]]            {{collapsed infobox section begin |cont=y |Parliamentary offices
  |titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
  |titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
| office4             = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| office6             = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]]
| term_start4         = 1991
| term_start6         = 1991
| term_end4           = 2009
| term_end6           = 2009
| constituency4      = [[Lucknow (Lok Sabha constituency)|Lucknow]]
| constituency6      = [[Lucknow (Lok Sabha constituency)|Lucknow]]
| predecessor4       = [[Mandhata Singh]]
| predecessor6       = [[Mandhata Singh]]
| successor4         = [[Lalji Tandon]]
| successor6         = [[Lalji Tandon]]
| term_start5        = 1977
| term_start7        = 1977
| term_end5           = 1984
| term_end7           = 1984
| constituency5       = [[New Delhi (Lok Sabha constituency)|New Delhi]]
| constituency7       = [[New Delhi (Lok Sabha constituency)|New Delhi]]
| predecessor5        = [[Mukul Banerjee]]
| predecessor7      = [[Mukul Banerjee]]
| successor5         = [[K. C. Pant]]
| successor7         = [[K. C. Pant]]
| term_start6         = 1971
| term_start8         = 1971
| term_end6           = 1977
| term_end8           = 1977
| constituency6       = [[Gwalior (Lok Sabha constituency)|Gwalior]]
| constituency8       = [[Gwalior (Lok Sabha constituency)|Gwalior]]
| predecessor6        = [[Ram Awtar Sharma]]
| predecessor8      = [[Ram Awtar Sharma]]
| successor6         = [[N. K. Shejwalkar]]
| successor8         = [[N. K. Shejwalkar]]
| term_start7         = 1967
| term_start9         = 1967
| term_end7           = 1971
| term_end9           = 1971
| constituency7       = [[Balrampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Balrampur]]
| constituency9       = [[Balrampur (Lok Sabha constituency)|Balrampur]]
| predecessor7       = [[Subhadra Joshi]]
| predecessor9       = [[Subhadra Joshi]]
| successor7          = Chandra Bhal Mani Tiwari
| successor9        = Chandra Bhal Mani Tiwari
| term_start8         = 1957
| term_start10         = 1957
| term_end8           = 1962
| term_end10           = 1962
| constituency8       = [[Balrampur]]
| constituency10       = [[Balrampur]]
| successor8         = Subhadra Joshi
| successor10         = Subhadra Joshi
| office9             = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| office11             = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| term_start9         = 1986
| term_start11         = 1986
| term_end9           = 1991
| term_end11           = 1991
| constituency9       = [[Madhya Pradesh]]
| constituency11       = [[Madhya Pradesh]]
| term_start10       = 1962
| term_start12       = 1962
| term_end10          = 1967
| term_end12        = 1967
| constituency10     = [[Uttar Pradesh]]{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}
| constituency12     = [[Uttar Pradesh]]{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}
{{collapsed infobox section begin |last=y |Party political offices
{{collapsed infobox section begin |last=y |Party political offices
  |titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
  |titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
| office11           = [[<!-- Founder --> President of the Bharatiya&nbsp;Janata Party]]
| office13           = [[<!-- Founder --> President of the Bharatiya&nbsp;Janata Party]]
| term_start11       = 1980
| term_start13       = 1980
| term_end11         = 1986
| term_end13         = 1986
| predecessor11       = ''Office established''
| predecessor13       = ''Office established''
| successor11         = L. K. Advani
| successor13         = L. K. Advani
| order12             = 11th
| order14             = 11th
| office12           = President of the Bharatiya&nbsp;Jana&nbsp;Sangh
| office14           = President of the Bharatiya&nbsp;Jana&nbsp;Sangh
| term_start12       = 1968
| term_start14       = 1968
| term_end12         = 1972
| term_end14         = 1972
| predecessor12       = [[Deendayal Upadhyaya]]
| predecessor14       = [[Deendayal Upadhyaya]]
| successor12         = L. K. Advani{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}
| successor14         = L. K. Advani{{Collapsed infobox section end}}}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|df=y|1924|12|25}}
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|df=y|1924|12|25}}
| birth_place        = [[Gwalior]], [[Gwalior State]], British&nbsp;India (present-day [[Madhya Pradesh]], India)
| birth_place        = [[Gwalior]], [[Gwalior State]], [[British Raj|British India]] (present-day [[Madhya Pradesh]], India)
| death_date          = {{death date and age|df=y|2018|8|16|1924|12|25}}
| death_date          = {{death date and age|df=y|2018|8|16|1924|12|25}}
| death_place        = [[New Delhi]], Delhi, India<!--Per WP:OVERLINK "The names of subjects with which most readers will be at least somewhat familiar," including locations with New Delhi as an example, do not typically need to be linked)-->
| death_place        = [[New Delhi]], Delhi, India<!--Per WP:OVERLINK "The names of subjects with which most readers will be at least somewhat familiar," including locations with New Delhi as an example, do not typically need to be linked)-->
{{Infobox person|embed=yes|monuments=[[Raj Ghat and associated memorials|Sadaiv Atal]]}}
{{Infobox person|embed=yes|monuments=[[Raj Ghat and associated memorials|Sadaiv Atal]]}}
| party              = {{flagicon image|BJP flag.svg}} [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (from 1980)
| party              = [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (from 1980)
| otherparty          = {{ubl|[[Janata Party]] {{nowrap|(1977–1980)}}|[[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]] {{nowrap|(1951–1977)}}}}
| otherparty          = {{ubl|[[Janata Party]] {{nowrap|(1977–1980)}}|[[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]] {{nowrap|(1951–1977)}}}}
| alma_mater          = {{indented plainlist|
| alma_mater          = {{indented plainlist|
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}}
}}
{{Atal Bihari Vajpayee series}}
{{Atal Bihari Vajpayee series}}
'''Atal Bihari Vajpayee''' ({{IPA-hns|əʈəl bɪɦaːɾiː ʋaːdʒpai}}; 25&nbsp;December 1924&nbsp;– 16&nbsp;August 2018) was an Indian politician who served three terms as the 10th [[Prime Minister of India]], first for a term of 13&nbsp;days in 1996, then for a period of 13&nbsp;months from 1998 to 1999, followed by a full term from [[1999 Indian general election|1999]] to [[2004 Indian general election|2004]]. Vajpayee was one of the co-founders and a senior leader of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP). He was a member of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], a [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalist]] volunteer organisation. He was the first Indian prime minister not of the [[Indian National Congress]] to serve a full term in office. He was also a renowned poet and a writer.
'''Atal Bihari Vajpayee''' ({{IPA-hns|əʈəl bɪɦaːɾiː ʋaːdʒpai}}; 25&nbsp;December 1924&nbsp;– 16&nbsp;August 2018) was an Indian politician and statesman<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-28 |title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee, tall statesman who served as Prime Minister thrice |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/atal-bihari-vajpayee-prime-minister-7940523/ |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> who served three terms as the 10th [[Prime Minister of India]], first for a term of 13&nbsp;days in 1996, then for a period of 13&nbsp;months from 1998 to 1999, followed by a full term from [[1999 Indian general election|1999]] to [[2004 Indian general election|2004]]. Vajpayee was one of the co-founders and a senior leader of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]. He was a member of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]], a [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalist]] volunteer organisation. He was the first Indian prime minister not of the [[Indian National Congress|INC]] to serve a full term in office. He was also a renowned [[poet]] and a [[writer]].


He was a member of the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]] for over five decades, having been elected ten times to the [[Lok Sabha]], the lower house, and twice to the [[Rajya Sabha]], the upper house. He served as the [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|Member of Parliament]] for [[Lucknow]], retiring from active politics in 2009 due to health concerns. He was among the founding members of the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh]] (BJS), of which he was president from 1968 to 1972. The BJS merged with several other parties to form the [[Janata Party]], which won the [[1977 Indian general election|1977 general election]]. In March 1977, Vajpayee became the [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|Minister of External Affairs]] in the cabinet of Prime Minister [[Morarji Desai]]. He resigned in 1979, and the Janata alliance collapsed soon after. Former members of the BJS formed the BJP in 1980, with Vajpayee its first president.
He was a member of the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]] for over five decades, having been elected ten times to the [[Lok Sabha]], the lower house, and twice to the [[Rajya Sabha]], the upper house. He served as the [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha|MP (LS)]] for [[Lucknow]], retiring from active politics in 2009 due to health concerns. He was among the founding members of the [[Bharatiya Jana Sangh|BJS]], of which he was president from 1968 to 1972. The BJS merged with several other parties to form the [[Janata Party|JP]], which won the [[1977 Indian general election|1977 general election]]. In March 1977, Vajpayee became the [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|Minister of External Affairs]] in the cabinet of Prime Minister [[Morarji Desai]]. He resigned in 1979, and the Janata alliance collapsed soon after. Former members of the BJS formed the BJP in 1980, with Vajpayee its first president.


During his tenure as prime minister, India carried out the [[Pokhran-II]] nuclear tests in 1998. Vajpayee sought to improve [[India–Pakistan relations|diplomatic relations with Pakistan]], [[Lahore Declaration|travelling to Lahore]] by bus to meet with Prime Minister [[Nawaz Sharif]]. After the [[Kargil War|1999 Kargil War]] with Pakistan, he sought to restore relations through engagement with President [[Pervez Musharraf]], inviting him to India for a summit at [[Agra]].
During [[Premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee|his tenure as prime minister]], India carried out the [[Pokhran-II]] nuclear tests in 1998. Vajpayee sought to improve [[India–Pakistan relations|diplomatic relations with Pakistan]], [[Lahore Declaration|travelling to Lahore]] by bus to meet with Prime Minister [[Nawaz Sharif]]. After the [[Kargil War|1999 Kargil War]] with Pakistan, he sought to restore relations through engagement with President [[Pervez Musharraf]], inviting him to India for a summit at [[Agra]]. Vajpayee's government introduced many [[Economic development in India|domestic economic]] and [[Infrastructure-based development|infrastructural reforms]], including encouraging the [[private sector]] and [[foreign investments]], reducing [[government waste|governmental waste]], encouraging [[research and development]] and [[privatisation]] of some government owned corporations.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite news|url=http://news.in.msn.com/National/independenceday09/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3131559&page=4|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104050819/http://news.in.msn.com/National/independenceday09/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3131559&page=4|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2013|title=Vajpayee, the right man in the wrong party&nbsp;– 4&nbsp;&nbsp;– New...|date=4 January 2013|work=archive.is|access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref> Among Vajpayee's projects were the [[National Highways Development Project]], [[Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana]]<ref name="auto4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/raghuvir-srinivasan/vajpayee-the-intuitive-reformer/article24708987.ece|title=Vajpayee – the intuitive reformer|work=@businessline|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pradhan-mantri-gram-sadak-yojana-how-the-programme-impacted-indian-hinterland/|title=Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: How the programme impacted Indian hinterland|date=25 February 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112072409/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pradhan-mantri-gram-sadak-yojana-how-the-programme-impacted-indian-hinterland/|archive-date=12 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan]] campaign, aimed at improving the quality of education in [[primary education|primary]] and [[secondary school| secondary schools]].<ref name="auto3">{{cite web|url=http://mhrd.gov.in/schemes|title=Schemes {{!}} Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development|website=mhrd.gov.in|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185239/http://mhrd.gov.in/schemes|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/atal-bihari-vajpayees-contribution-towards-education-sector/|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee's contribution towards education sector|date=16 August 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817113725/https://indianexpress.com/article/education/atal-bihari-vajpayees-contribution-towards-education-sector/|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>


The administration of [[Narendra Modi]] declared in 2014 that Vajpayee's birthday, 25&nbsp;December, would be marked as [[Good Governance Day]]. In 2015, he was conferred India's highest civilian honour, the [[Bharat Ratna]], by the [[president of India]], [[Pranab Mukherjee]]. He died in 2018 of age-related illness.
Vajpayee is considered one of the most respected [[prime minister of India|prime ministers of India]], receiving praise from the opposition as well. He scores high on India's top ranked prime ministers and is regarded as one of the best prime ministers in Indian history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/vajpayee-is-the-greatest-prime-minister-of-india-after-jawaharlal-nehru-tka-nair/315185|title=Vajpayee Is The Greatest Prime Minister Of India After Jawaharlal Nehru: T.K.A. Nair}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/atal-bihari-vajpayee-the-best-prime-minister-the-congress-never-had-118081900317_1.html | title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The best prime minister the Congress never had | date=19 August 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/atal-bihari-vajpayee-pakistan-best-loved-indian-prime-minister-book-7951792/ | title=Why Atal Bihari Vajpayee remains Pakistan's best-loved Indian Prime Minister | date=4 June 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/aug/17/vajpayee-was-our-greatest-pm-after-nehru-2020119.html | title='Vajpayee was our greatest PM after Nehru' }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayee-dies-rahul-gandhis-tribute-india-lost-a-great-son-1901603 | title="India Lost a Great Son": Rahul Gandhi in Tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee }}</ref> The administration of [[Narendra Modi]] declared in 2014 that Vajpayee's birthday, 25&nbsp;December, would be marked as [[Good Governance Day]]. In 2015, he was conferred India's highest civilian honour, the [[Bharat Ratna]], by the [[president of India]], [[Pranab Mukherjee]]. He died in 2018 of age-related illness.


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Vajpayee was born into a [[Hindu]] [[Brahmin]] family on 25&nbsp;December 1924 in [[Gwalior]], Madhya Pradesh.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/atal-bihari-vajpayee.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee Biography&nbsp;– About family, political life, awards won, history|website=elections.in|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724122802/http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/atal-bihari-vajpayee.html|archive-date=24 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> His mother was Krishna Devi and his father was Krishna Bihari Vajpayee.{{sfn|N P|2018|p=}} His father was a school teacher in their home town.<ref name="nytobit">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/obituaries/atal-bihari-vajpayee-dead.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Former Prime Minister of India, Dies at 93|last=McFadden|first=Robert D.|access-date=16 August 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816160346/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/obituaries/atal-bihari-vajpayee-dead.html|archive-date=16 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> His grandfather, Shyam Lal Vajpayee, had migrated to [[Morena]] near Gwalior from his ancestral village of [[Bateshwar, Uttar Pradesh|Bateshwar]] in the [[Agra district]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]].{{sfn|N P|2018|p=}}
Vajpayee was born into a [[Hindu]] [[Brahmin]] family on 25&nbsp;December 1924 in [[Gwalior]], Madhya Pradesh.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/atal-bihari-vajpayee.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee Biography&nbsp;– About family, political life, awards won, history|website=elections.in|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724122802/http://www.elections.in/political-leaders/atal-bihari-vajpayee.html|archive-date=24 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> His mother was Krishna Devi and his father was Krishna Bihari Vajpayee.{{sfn|N P|2018|p=}} His father was a school teacher in their home town.<ref name="nytobit">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/obituaries/atal-bihari-vajpayee-dead.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Former Prime Minister of India, Dies at 93|last=McFadden|first=Robert D.|access-date=16 August 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|date=16 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816160346/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/obituaries/atal-bihari-vajpayee-dead.html|archive-date=16 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> His grandfather, Shyam Lal Vajpayee, had migrated to [[Morena]] near Gwalior from his ancestral village of [[Bateshwar, Uttar Pradesh|Bateshwar]] in the [[Agra district]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]].{{sfn|N P|2018|p=}}


Vajpayee did his schooling at the Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Gwalior. In 1934, he was admitted to the Anglo-Vernacular Middle (AVM) School in [[Badnagar|Barnagar]], [[Ujjain district]], after his father joined as headmaster. He subsequently attended Gwalior's Victoria College, [[Agra University]] (now [[Maharani Laxmi Bai Govt. College of Excellence]]) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in [[Hindi]], English and [[Sanskrit]]. He completed his post-graduation with a Master of Arts in [[political science]] from [[DAV College, Kanpur]], [[Agra University]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://samvada.org/2012/news/the-sangh-rss-is-my-soul-writes-atal-behari-vajpayee/|title=The Sangh (RSS) is my Soul; writes Atal Bihari Vajpayee|date=19 January 2012|work=Vishwa Samvada Kendra|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818131858/http://samvada.org/2012/news/the-sangh-rss-is-my-soul-writes-atal-behari-vajpayee/|archive-date=18 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
Vajpayee did his schooling at the Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Gwalior. In 1934, he was admitted to the Anglo-Vernacular Middle (AVM) School in [[Badnagar|Barnagar]], [[Ujjain district]], after his father joined as headmaster. He subsequently attended Gwalior's Victoria College, [[Agra University]] (now [[Maharani Laxmi Bai Govt. College of Excellence]]) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in [[Hindi]], [[English language|English]] and [[Sanskrit]]. He completed his post-graduation with a Master of Arts in [[political science]] from [[DAV College, Kanpur]], [[Agra University]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://samvada.org/2012/news/the-sangh-rss-is-my-soul-writes-atal-behari-vajpayee/|title=The Sangh (RSS) is my Soul; writes Atal Bihari Vajpayee|date=19 January 2012|work=Vishwa Samvada Kendra|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818131858/http://samvada.org/2012/news/the-sangh-rss-is-my-soul-writes-atal-behari-vajpayee/|archive-date=18 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Early association with Hindu groups ==
== Early works as activist ==


His activism started in Gwalior with Arya Kumar Sabha, the youth wing of the [[Arya Samaj]] movement, of which he became the general secretary in 1944. He also joined the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) in 1939 as a ''swayamsevak'', or volunteer. Influenced by [[Babasaheb Apte]], he attended the Officers Training Camp of the RSS during 1940 to 1944, becoming a ''pracharak'' (RSS terminology for a full-time worker) in 1947. He gave up studying law due to the [[Partition of India|partition]] riots. He was sent to Uttar Pradesh as a ''vistarak'' (a probationary ''pracharak'') and soon began working for the newspapers of [[Deendayal Upadhyaya]]: ''Rashtradharma'' (a Hindi monthly), ''[[Panchjanya (magazine)|Panchjanya]]'' (a Hindi weekly), and the dailies ''Swadesh'' and ''Veer Arjun''.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/outliers-prime-minister-narendra-modi-rss-pracharak-indira-gandhi-p-v-narashima-rao-atal-bihari-vajpayee/1/355731.html|title=The outliers who won the PMs post|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112204756/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/outliers-prime-minister-narendra-modi-rss-pracharak-indira-gandhi-p-v-narashima-rao-atal-bihari-vajpayee/1/355731.html|archive-date=12 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Jaffrelot|1996|pp=131–132}}
His activism started in Gwalior with Arya Kumar Sabha, the youth wing of the [[Arya Samaj]] movement, of which he became the general secretary in 1944. He also joined the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS) in 1939 as a ''swayamsevak'', or volunteer. Influenced by [[Babasaheb Apte]], he attended the Officers Training Camp of the RSS during 1940 to 1944, becoming a ''pracharak'' (RSS terminology for a full-time worker) in 1947. He gave up studying law due to the [[Partition of India|partition]] riots. He was sent to Uttar Pradesh as a ''vistarak'' (a probationary ''pracharak'') and soon began working for the newspapers of [[Deendayal Upadhyaya]]: ''Rashtradharma'' (a Hindi monthly), ''[[Panchjanya (magazine)|Panchjanya]]'' (a Hindi weekly), and the dailies ''Swadesh'' and ''Veer Arjun''.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/outliers-prime-minister-narendra-modi-rss-pracharak-indira-gandhi-p-v-narashima-rao-atal-bihari-vajpayee/1/355731.html|title=The outliers who won the PMs post|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112204756/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/outliers-prime-minister-narendra-modi-rss-pracharak-indira-gandhi-p-v-narashima-rao-atal-bihari-vajpayee/1/355731.html|archive-date=12 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Jaffrelot|1996|pp=131–132}}
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== Janata and the BJP (1975–1995) ==
== Janata and the BJP (1975–1995) ==
[[File:Officials of India welcome Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter during an arrival ceremony in New Delhi, India - NARA - 177371.jpg|thumb|Foreign Minister Vajpayee (far right) and Prime Minister [[Morarji Desai]] (third from right, front row) with US President [[Jimmy Carter]] during his 1978 visit to India]]
[[File:Atlaji addressing political rally with kaushal ji .jpg|thumb|Vajpayee addressing a political rally in 1977.]]
 
Vajpayee was arrested along with several other opposition leaders during the [[The Emergency (India)|Internal Emergency]] imposed by Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] in 1975.<ref name="nytobit" />{{sfn|Coomi Kapoor|2016|p=46}} Initially interned in [[Bangalore]], Vajpayee appealed his imprisonment on the grounds of bad health, and was moved to a hospital in Delhi.<ref name="Nag">{{cite news |last1=Nag |first1=Kingshuk |title=Atal Behari Vajpayee: A mercurial moderate |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45205033 |access-date=18 August 2018 |publisher=BBC |date=16 August 2018}}</ref> In December 1976, Vajpayee ordered the student activists of the [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad|ABVP]] to tender an unconditional apology to [[Indira Gandhi]] for perpetrating violence and disorder.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=6 January 2017|title=Did Vajpayee ask ABVP to apologise for arson attacks during Emergency in return for democracy?|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/did-vajpayee-ask-abvp-apologise-arson-attacks-during-emergency-return-democracy-55345|access-date=29 December 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=25 June 2020|title=The story of how RSS leaders deserted Jayaprakash and the resistance during Indira's Emergency|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/rss-leaders-deserted-jayaprakash-resistance-during-indira-emergency/448294/|access-date=29 December 2021|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> The ABVP student leaders refused to obey his order.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=22 March 2021|title=How Morarji Desai outwitted Jagjivan Ram and Charan Singh|url=https://openthemagazine.com/columns/morarji-desai-outwitted-jagjivan-ram-charan-singh/|access-date=29 December 2021|website=Open The Magazine|language=en-GB}}</ref>
Vajpayee was arrested along with several other opposition leaders during the [[The Emergency (India)|Internal Emergency]] imposed by Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] in 1975.<ref name="nytobit" />{{sfn|Coomi Kapoor|2016|p=46}} Initially interned in [[Bangalore]], Vajpayee appealed his imprisonment on the grounds of bad health, and was moved to a hospital in Delhi.<ref name="Nag">{{cite news |last1=Nag |first1=Kingshuk |title=Atal Behari Vajpayee: A mercurial moderate |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45205033 |access-date=18 August 2018 |publisher=BBC |date=16 August 2018}}</ref> In December 1976, Vajpayee ordered the student activists of the [[Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad|ABVP]] to tender an unconditional apology to [[Indira Gandhi]] for perpetrating violence and disorder.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=6 January 2017|title=Did Vajpayee ask ABVP to apologise for arson attacks during Emergency in return for democracy?|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/did-vajpayee-ask-abvp-apologise-arson-attacks-during-emergency-return-democracy-55345|access-date=29 December 2021|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=25 June 2020|title=The story of how RSS leaders deserted Jayaprakash and the resistance during Indira's Emergency|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/rss-leaders-deserted-jayaprakash-resistance-during-indira-emergency/448294/|access-date=29 December 2021|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}</ref> The ABVP student leaders refused to obey his order.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=22 March 2021|title=How Morarji Desai outwitted Jagjivan Ram and Charan Singh|url=https://openthemagazine.com/columns/morarji-desai-outwitted-jagjivan-ram-charan-singh/|access-date=29 December 2021|website=Open The Magazine|language=en-GB}}</ref>


Gandhi ended the state of emergency in 1977. A coalition of parties, including the BJS, came together to form the [[Janata Party]], which won the [[1977 Indian general election|1977 general elections]].<ref name="BBC1">{{cite news |title=AB Vajpayee: The PM who consolidated India as a nuclear power |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-25123943 |access-date=18 August 2018 |publisher=BBC |date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817141325/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-25123943 |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> [[Morarji Desai]], the chosen leader of the alliance, became the prime minister. Vajpayee served as the [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|minister of external affairs]], or foreign minister, in Desai's cabinet.<ref name="IE_18-08-16">{{Cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/10-defining-moments-of-atal-bihari-vajpayees-political-career-5310378/ |title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away: 10 defining moments of his political career |last=De |first=Abhishek |date=16 August 2018 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> As foreign minister, Vajpayee became the first person in 1977 to deliver a speech to the [[United Nations General Assembly]] in [[Hindi]].<ref name="IE_18-08-16" />
Gandhi ended the state of emergency in 1977. A coalition of parties, including the BJS, came together to form the [[Janata Party]], which won the [[1977 Indian general election|1977 general elections]].<ref name="BBC1">{{cite news |title=AB Vajpayee: The PM who consolidated India as a nuclear power |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-25123943 |access-date=18 August 2018 |publisher=BBC |date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817141325/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-25123943 |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> [[Morarji Desai]], the chosen leader of the alliance, became the prime minister. Vajpayee served as the [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|minister of external affairs]], or foreign minister, in Desai's cabinet.<ref name="IE_18-08-16">{{Cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/10-defining-moments-of-atal-bihari-vajpayees-political-career-5310378/ |title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away: 10 defining moments of his political career |last=De |first=Abhishek |date=16 August 2018 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref> As foreign minister, Vajpayee became the first person in 1977 to deliver a speech to the [[United Nations General Assembly]] in [[Hindi]].<ref name="IE_18-08-16" />


[[File:Officials of India welcome Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter during an arrival ceremony in New Delhi, India - NARA - 177371.jpg|thumb|Foreign Minister Vajpayee (far right) and Prime Minister [[Morarji Desai]] (third from right, front row) with US President [[Jimmy Carter]] during his 1978 visit to India.]]
In 1979, Desai and Vajpayee resigned, triggering the collapse of the Janata Party.<ref name="Nag" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-morarji-desai-1615165.html|title=Obituary: Morarji Desai|work=The Independent|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103104550/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-morarji-desai-1615165.html|archive-date=3 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The erstwhile members of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh came together to form the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) in 1980, with Vajpayee as its first President.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lahiry |first=Sutapa |year=2005 |title=Jana Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party : A comparative assessment of their philosophy and strategy and their proximity with the other members of the Sangh Parivar |journal=The Indian Journal of Political Science |volume=66 |issue=4 |pages=831–850  |jstor=41856171 }}</ref>
In 1979, Desai and Vajpayee resigned, triggering the collapse of the Janata Party.<ref name="Nag" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-morarji-desai-1615165.html|title=Obituary: Morarji Desai|work=The Independent|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103104550/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-morarji-desai-1615165.html|archive-date=3 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The erstwhile members of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh came together to form the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) in 1980, with Vajpayee as its first President.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lahiry |first=Sutapa |year=2005 |title=Jana Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party : A comparative assessment of their philosophy and strategy and their proximity with the other members of the Sangh Parivar |journal=The Indian Journal of Political Science |volume=66 |issue=4 |pages=831–850  |jstor=41856171 }}</ref>
Leading up to [[Operation Blue Star|Operation Bluestar]], there were several protests by [[Sangh Parivar]], including a march led by [[L. K. Advani|LK Advani]] and Vajpayee of the Bhartiya Janta Party to protest against the lack of government action and to demand that the [[Indian Army]] be sent into the [[Golden Temple]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2008 |title=Advani's Blue Star remark makes Akali Dal see red |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/advani-s-blue-star-remark-makes-akali-dal-see-red/story-aUDzmM9npzrIu9eyXMPlQN_amp.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kalappa |first1=Brijesh |title=Recalling 1984: Who gains now? |website=Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/emphasis/reconciliation1/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LK Advani supported Operation Bluestar, claims Capt Amarinder Singh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/lk-advani-supported-operation-bluestar-amarinder-singh-180707-2014-02-12 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Advani |first=LK |title=My Country My Life |publisher=Rupa |year=2008 |isbn=978-8129113634 |pages=430}}</ref>


The 1984 general elections were held in the wake of Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi's assassination]] by her Sikh bodyguards. While he had won the 1977 and the 1980 elections from New Delhi, Vajpayee shifted to his home town Gwalior for the election.<ref name="Mint_Elections">{{Cite news |url=https://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/wKUMcJsFf7lXQN8UCdzGrL/How-Vajpayee-fared-in-the-14-Lok-Sabha-elections-he-conteste.html |title=How Vajpayee fared in the 14 Lok Sabha elections he contested between 1957 and 2004 |date=17 August 2018 |work=Mint |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193335/https://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/wKUMcJsFf7lXQN8UCdzGrL/How-Vajpayee-fared-in-the-14-Lok-Sabha-elections-he-conteste.html |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>  
The 1984 general elections were held in the wake of Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi's assassination]] by her Sikh bodyguards. While he had won the 1977 and the 1980 elections from New Delhi, Vajpayee shifted to his home town Gwalior for the election.<ref name="Mint_Elections">{{Cite news |url=https://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/wKUMcJsFf7lXQN8UCdzGrL/How-Vajpayee-fared-in-the-14-Lok-Sabha-elections-he-conteste.html |title=How Vajpayee fared in the 14 Lok Sabha elections he contested between 1957 and 2004 |date=17 August 2018 |work=Mint |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193335/https://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/wKUMcJsFf7lXQN8UCdzGrL/How-Vajpayee-fared-in-the-14-Lok-Sabha-elections-he-conteste.html |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>  
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In 1986, [[L. K. Advani]] took office as president of the BJP.<ref name="IndiaToday_Elections">{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/bjp-foundation-day-modi-vajpayee-1984-congress-969890-2017-04-06 |title=BJP Foundation Day: Party's rise to power from 2 MPs in 1984 to 282 in 2014 |last=Gupta |first=Mohak |date=6 April 2017 |work=India Today |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193440/https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/bjp-foundation-day-modi-vajpayee-1984-congress-969890-2017-04-06 |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Under him, the BJP returned to a policy of hardline Hindu nationalism.<ref name="Malik and Singh" /> It became the political voice of the [[Ram Janmabhoomi]] Mandir Movement, which sought to build a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity [[Rama]] in [[Ayodhya]]. The temple would be built at a site believed to be the birthplace of Rama after demolishing a 16th-century mosque, called the [[Babri Masjid]], which then stood there.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/15/opinion/15guha.html |title=India's Internal Partition |last=Guha |first=Ramachandra |date=15 August 2007 |work=The New York Times |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193430/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/15/opinion/15guha.html |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live |ref=none }}</ref> The strategy paid off for the BJP; it won 86 seats in the Lok Sabha in the [[1989 Indian general election|1989 general election]], making its support crucial to the government of [[V. P. Singh]].<ref name="Malik and Singh" /> In December 1992, a group of religious volunteers led by members of the BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), tore down the mosque.<ref name="Caravan_Babri">{{Cite news |url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/vantage/maybe-will-temple-congress-power-twenty-four-years-babri-masjid-demolition |title="Maybe We Will Have The Temple When The Congress Is in Power": Twenty-Four Years After The Babri Masjid Demolition |last=Peer |first=Basharat |date=6 December 2016 |work=The Caravan |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817225426/http://www.caravanmagazine.in/vantage/maybe-will-temple-congress-power-twenty-four-years-babri-masjid-demolition |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="Guha_Scroll" />
In 1986, [[L. K. Advani]] took office as president of the BJP.<ref name="IndiaToday_Elections">{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/bjp-foundation-day-modi-vajpayee-1984-congress-969890-2017-04-06 |title=BJP Foundation Day: Party's rise to power from 2 MPs in 1984 to 282 in 2014 |last=Gupta |first=Mohak |date=6 April 2017 |work=India Today |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193440/https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/bjp-foundation-day-modi-vajpayee-1984-congress-969890-2017-04-06 |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Under him, the BJP returned to a policy of hardline Hindu nationalism.<ref name="Malik and Singh" /> It became the political voice of the [[Ram Janmabhoomi]] Mandir Movement, which sought to build a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity [[Rama]] in [[Ayodhya]]. The temple would be built at a site believed to be the birthplace of Rama after demolishing a 16th-century mosque, called the [[Babri Masjid]], which then stood there.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/15/opinion/15guha.html |title=India's Internal Partition |last=Guha |first=Ramachandra |date=15 August 2007 |work=The New York Times |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193430/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/15/opinion/15guha.html |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live |ref=none }}</ref> The strategy paid off for the BJP; it won 86 seats in the Lok Sabha in the [[1989 Indian general election|1989 general election]], making its support crucial to the government of [[V. P. Singh]].<ref name="Malik and Singh" /> In December 1992, a group of religious volunteers led by members of the BJP, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), tore down the mosque.<ref name="Caravan_Babri">{{Cite news |url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/vantage/maybe-will-temple-congress-power-twenty-four-years-babri-masjid-demolition |title="Maybe We Will Have The Temple When The Congress Is in Power": Twenty-Four Years After The Babri Masjid Demolition |last=Peer |first=Basharat |date=6 December 2016 |work=The Caravan |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817225426/http://www.caravanmagazine.in/vantage/maybe-will-temple-congress-power-twenty-four-years-babri-masjid-demolition |archive-date=17 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="Guha_Scroll" />


He served as Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, for various terms starting at Balrampur from 1957{{En dash}}1962. He served again from Balrampur from 1967{{En dash}}1971, then from Gwalior from 1971{{En dash}}1977, and then from New Delhi from 1977{{En dash}}1984. Finally, he served from Lucknow from 1991{{En dash}}2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/atal-bihari-vajpayee-had-his-website-as-early-as-1999-polls/articleshow/65446972.cms|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee had his website as early as 1999 polls|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=5 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819122744/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/atal-bihari-vajpayee-had-his-website-as-early-as-1999-polls/articleshow/65446972.cms|archive-date=19 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
He served as Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, for various terms starting at Balrampur from 1957{{En dash}}1962. He served again from Balrampur from 1967{{En dash}}1971, then from Gwalior from 1971{{En dash}}1977, and then from New Delhi from 1977{{En dash}}1984. Finally, he served from Lucknow from 1991{{En dash}}2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/atal-bihari-vajpayee-had-his-website-as-early-as-1999-polls/articleshow/65446972.cms|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee had his website as early as 1999 polls|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 August 2018 |access-date=5 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819122744/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/atal-bihari-vajpayee-had-his-website-as-early-as-1999-polls/articleshow/65446972.cms|archive-date=19 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Terms as prime minister (1996–2004) ==
== Terms as prime minister (1996, 1998- 99 and 1999–2004) ==
{{See also|Premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee}}
{{See also|Premiership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee}}


=== First term: May 1996 ===
=== First term: May 1996 ===
{{See also|First Vajpayee ministry}}
{{See also|First Vajpayee ministry}}
During a BJP conference in Mumbai in November 1995, BJP President Advani declared that Vajpayee would be the party's prime ministerial candidate in the forthcoming elections. Vajpayee himself was reported to be unhappy with the announcement, responding by saying that the party needed to win the election first.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-will-the-rath-yatra-bring-lk-advani-back-in-rss-good-books-1597360|title=Will the 'rath yatra' bring LK Advani back in RSS good books?|date=11 October 2011|work=dna|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921001841/http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-will-the-rath-yatra-bring-lk-advani-back-in-rss-good-books-1597360|archive-date=21 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The BJP became the single largest party in Parliament in the [[1996 Indian general election|1996 general election]], helped by religious polarisation across the country as a result of the demolition of the Babri Masjid.{{sfn|Guha|2007|p=633}}{{sfn|M. L. Ahuja|1998|p=208}} Indian president [[Shankar Dayal Sharma]] invited Vajpayee to form the government.{{sfn|Muller|2012|p=628}} Vajpayee was sworn in as the 10th prime minister of India,{{sfn|Chitkara|Śarmā|1997|p=268}} but the BJP failed to muster a majority among members of the Lok Sabha. Vajpayee resigned after 16 days, when it became clear that he did not have enough support to form a government.{{sfn|Chitkara|Śarmā|1997|p=268}}{{sfn|Sumantra Bose|2013|p=79}}
During a BJP conference in Mumbai in November 1995, BJP President Advani declared that Vajpayee would be the party's prime ministerial candidate in the forthcoming elections. Vajpayee himself was reported to be unhappy with the announcement, responding by saying that the party needed to win the election first.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-will-the-rath-yatra-bring-lk-advani-back-in-rss-good-books-1597360|title=Will the 'rath yatra' bring LK Advani back in RSS good books?|date=11 October 2011|work=dna|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921001841/http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-will-the-rath-yatra-bring-lk-advani-back-in-rss-good-books-1597360|archive-date=21 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The BJP became the single largest party in Parliament in the [[1996 Indian general election|1996 general election]], helped by religious polarisation across the country as a result of the demolition of the Babri Masjid.{{sfn|Guha|2007|p=633}}{{sfn|M. L. Ahuja|1998|p=208}} Indian president [[Shankar Dayal Sharma]] invited Vajpayee to form the government.{{sfn|Muller|2012|p=628}} Vajpayee was sworn in as the 10th prime minister of India,{{sfn|Chitkara|Śarmā|1997|p=268}} but the BJP failed to muster a majority among members of the Lok Sabha. Vajpayee resigned after 16 days, when it became clear that he did not have enough support to form a government.{{sfn|Chitkara|Śarmā|1997|p=268}}{{sfn|Sumantra Bose|2013|p=79}} In this short period, he also created and administered the [[Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution]].


=== Second term: 1998–1999 ===
=== Second term: 1998–1999 ===
{{See also|Second Vajpayee ministry}}
{{See also|Second Vajpayee ministry}}
After the fall of the two [[Third Front (India)|United Front]] governments between 1996 and 1998, the Lok Sabha was dissolved and fresh elections were held. The [[1998 Indian general election|1998 general elections]] again put the BJP ahead of others. A number of political parties joined the BJP to form the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] (NDA), and Vajpayee was sworn in as the prime minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1998/india_elections/61761.stm|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee: India's new prime minister|publisher=BBC|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205150717/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1998/india_elections/61761.stm|archive-date=5 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The coalition was an uneasy one,<ref name="BBC1" /> as apart from the [[Shiv Sena]], none of the other parties espoused the BJP's Hindu-nationalist ideology.{{sfn|Guha|2007|p=662}} Vajpayee has been credited for managing this coalition successfully, while facing ideological pressure from the hardline wing of the party and from the RSS.<ref name="Nag" /> Vajpayee's government lasted 13 months until mid-1999 when the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK) under [[J. Jayalalithaa]] withdrew its support.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/322065.stm|title=Vajpayee's thirteen months|publisher=BBC|access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref> The government lost the ensuing vote of confidence motion in the Lok Sabha by a single vote on 17 April 1999.{{sfn|Turner|2016|p=818}} As the opposition was unable to come up with the numbers to form the new government, the Lok Sabha was again dissolved and fresh elections were held.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/current/cp19990428.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010212856/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/current/cp19990428.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
After the fall of the two [[Third Front (India)|United Front]] governments between 1996 and 1998, the Lok Sabha was dissolved and fresh elections were held. The [[1998 Indian general election|1998 general elections]] again put the BJP ahead of others. A number of political parties joined the BJP to form the [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|National Democratic Alliance]] (NDA), and Vajpayee was sworn in as the prime minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1998/india_elections/61761.stm|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee: India's new prime minister|publisher=BBC|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205150717/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1998/india_elections/61761.stm|archive-date=5 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The coalition was an uneasy one,<ref name="BBC1" /> as apart from the [[Shiv Sena]], none of the other parties espoused the BJP's Hindu-nationalist ideology.{{sfn|Guha|2007|p=662}} Vajpayee has been credited for managing this coalition successfully, while facing ideological pressure from the hardline wing of the party and from the RSS.<ref name="Nag" /> Vajpayee's government lasted 13 months until mid-1999 when the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK) under [[J. Jayalalithaa]] withdrew its support.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/322065.stm|title=Vajpayee's thirteen months|publisher=BBC|access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref> The government lost the ensuing vote of confidence motion in the Lok Sabha by a single vote on 17 April 1999.{{sfn|Turner|2016|p=818}} As the opposition was unable to come up with the numbers to form the new government, the Lok Sabha was again dissolved and fresh elections were held.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/current/cp19990428.pdf |title=Election Commission of India - Press Note |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010212856/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/current/cp19990428.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==== Nuclear tests ====
==== Nuclear tests ====
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The Indian army responded with Operation Vijay, which launched on 26 May 1999. This saw the Indian military fighting thousands of militants and soldiers in the midst of heavy artillery shelling and while facing extremely cold weather, snow and treacherous terrain at the high altitude.{{sfn|Myra|2017|pp=27–66}} Over 500 Indian soldiers were killed in the three-month-long Kargil War, and it is estimated around 600–4,000 Pakistani militants and soldiers died as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://164.100.24.208/lsq/quest.asp?qref=51302|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202045832/http://164.100.24.208/lsq/quest.asp?qref=51302|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2008|title=PARLIAMENT QUESTIONS, LOK SABHA|date=2 December 2008|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref>{{sfn|Rodrigo|2006|p=}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/17/stories/2003081702900800.htm|title=Over 4,000 soldiers killed in Kargil: Sharif|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040531145342/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/17/stories/2003081702900800.htm|archive-date=31 May 2004|url-status=dead|date=17 August 2003|last1=Reddy|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|first1=B. Muralidhar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-pak-quietly-names-453-men-killed-in-kargil-war/20101118.htm|title=Pak quietly names 453 men killed in Kargil war|work=Rediff.com|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627173200/http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-pak-quietly-names-453-men-killed-in-kargil-war/20101118.htm|archive-date=27 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> India pushed back the Pakistani militants and [[Northern Light Infantry]] soldiers. Almost 70% of the territory was recaptured by India.{{sfn|Myra|2017|pp=27–66}} Vajpayee sent a "secret letter" to U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]] that if Pakistani infiltrators did not withdraw from the Indian territory, "we will get them out, one way or the other"&nbsp;- meaning he did not rule out crossing the [[Line of Control]] (LoC), or was the use of nuclear weapons.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-was-ready-to-cross-loc-use-nuclear-weapons-in-kargil-war-115120300518_1.html|title=India was ready to cross LoC, use nuclear weapons in Kargil war|last=Team|first=BS Web|date=3 December 2015|work=Business Standard India|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609100347/http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-was-ready-to-cross-loc-use-nuclear-weapons-in-kargil-war-115120300518_1.html|archive-date=9 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Indian army responded with Operation Vijay, which launched on 26 May 1999. This saw the Indian military fighting thousands of militants and soldiers in the midst of heavy artillery shelling and while facing extremely cold weather, snow and treacherous terrain at the high altitude.{{sfn|Myra|2017|pp=27–66}} Over 500 Indian soldiers were killed in the three-month-long Kargil War, and it is estimated around 600–4,000 Pakistani militants and soldiers died as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://164.100.24.208/lsq/quest.asp?qref=51302|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202045832/http://164.100.24.208/lsq/quest.asp?qref=51302|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2008|title=PARLIAMENT QUESTIONS, LOK SABHA|date=2 December 2008|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref>{{sfn|Rodrigo|2006|p=}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/17/stories/2003081702900800.htm|title=Over 4,000 soldiers killed in Kargil: Sharif|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040531145342/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2003/08/17/stories/2003081702900800.htm|archive-date=31 May 2004|url-status=dead|date=17 August 2003|last1=Reddy|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|first1=B. Muralidhar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-pak-quietly-names-453-men-killed-in-kargil-war/20101118.htm|title=Pak quietly names 453 men killed in Kargil war|work=Rediff.com|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627173200/http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-pak-quietly-names-453-men-killed-in-kargil-war/20101118.htm|archive-date=27 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> India pushed back the Pakistani militants and [[Northern Light Infantry]] soldiers. Almost 70% of the territory was recaptured by India.{{sfn|Myra|2017|pp=27–66}} Vajpayee sent a "secret letter" to U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]] that if Pakistani infiltrators did not withdraw from the Indian territory, "we will get them out, one way or the other"&nbsp;- meaning he did not rule out crossing the [[Line of Control]] (LoC), or was the use of nuclear weapons.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-was-ready-to-cross-loc-use-nuclear-weapons-in-kargil-war-115120300518_1.html|title=India was ready to cross LoC, use nuclear weapons in Kargil war|last=Team|first=BS Web|date=3 December 2015|work=Business Standard India|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609100347/http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/india-was-ready-to-cross-loc-use-nuclear-weapons-in-kargil-war-115120300518_1.html|archive-date=9 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>


After Pakistan suffered heavy losses, and with both the United States and China refusing to condone the incursion or threaten India to stop its military operations, General [[Pervez Musharraf]] was [[recalcitrant]] and [[Nawaz Sharif]] asked the remaining militants to stop and withdraw to positions along the LoC.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/05/14/the-story-of-how-nawaz-sharif-pulled-back-from-nuclear-war/|title=The story of how Nawaz Sharif pulled back from nuclear war|website=Foreign Policy|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193426/https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/05/14/the-story-of-how-nawaz-sharif-pulled-back-from-nuclear-war/|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The militants were not willing to accept orders from Sharif but the [[Northern Light Infantry|NLI]] soldiers withdrew.<ref name="auto" /> The militants were killed by the Indian army or forced to withdraw in skirmishes which continued even after the announcement of withdrawal by Pakistan.<ref name="auto" />
After Pakistan suffered heavy losses, and with both the United States and China refusing to condone the incursion or threaten India to stop its military operations, General [[Pervez Musharraf]] was [[recalcitrant]] and [[Nawaz Sharif]] asked the remaining militants to stop and withdraw to positions along the LoC.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/05/14/the-story-of-how-nawaz-sharif-pulled-back-from-nuclear-war/|title=The story of how Nawaz Sharif pulled back from nuclear war|website=Foreign Policy|date=14 May 2013 |access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817193426/https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/05/14/the-story-of-how-nawaz-sharif-pulled-back-from-nuclear-war/|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The militants were not willing to accept orders from Sharif but the [[Northern Light Infantry|NLI]] soldiers withdrew.<ref name="auto" /> The militants were killed by the Indian army or forced to withdraw in skirmishes which continued even after the announcement of withdrawal by Pakistan.<ref name="auto" />


=== Third term: 1999–2004 ===
=== Third term: 1999–2004 ===
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==== 2002–2004 ====
==== 2002–2004 ====
[[File:Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee speaking at a special session to commorate 200th session of Rajya Sabha in the Centre Hall of Parliament on 11 December, 2003.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister Vajpayee speaking at a special session to commorate 200th session of [[Rajya Sabha]] in 2003.]]
In late 2002 and 2003 the government pushed through economic reforms.<ref name="ChinaDailyEconomy2004">{{cite news |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-06/30/content_344346.htm |date=30 June 2004 |author=Agencies |title=India's economy grows 8.2% in 2003–2004 |work=China Daily |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611095603/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-06/30/content_344346.htm |archive-date=11 June 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The country's GDP growth exceeded 7% every year from 2003 to 2007, following three years of sub-5% growth.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[World Bank]] |title=GDP growth (annual %): India |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=IN |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818052213/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=IN |archive-date=18 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Increasing foreign investment,<ref name="ChinaDailyEconomy2004" /> modernisation of public and industrial infrastructure, the creation of jobs, a rising high-tech and IT industry and urban modernisation and expansion improved the nation's international image. Good crop harvests and strong industrial expansion also helped the economy.<ref>{{cite news |title=India's Economy Soared by 10% in Last Quarter of 2003 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/01/business/india-s-economy-soared-by-10-in-last-quarter-of-2003.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1 April 2004 |last=Rai |first=Saritha |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818022529/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/01/business/india-s-economy-soared-by-10-in-last-quarter-of-2003.html |archive-date=18 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
In late 2002 and 2003 the government pushed through economic reforms.<ref name="ChinaDailyEconomy2004">{{cite news |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-06/30/content_344346.htm |date=30 June 2004 |author=Agencies |title=India's economy grows 8.2% in 2003–2004 |work=China Daily |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611095603/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-06/30/content_344346.htm |archive-date=11 June 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The country's GDP growth exceeded 7% every year from 2003 to 2007, following three years of sub-5% growth.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[World Bank]] |title=GDP growth (annual %): India |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=IN |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818052213/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?locations=IN |archive-date=18 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Increasing foreign investment,<ref name="ChinaDailyEconomy2004" /> modernisation of public and industrial infrastructure, the creation of jobs, a rising high-tech and IT industry and urban modernisation and expansion improved the nation's international image. Good crop harvests and strong industrial expansion also helped the economy.<ref>{{cite news |title=India's Economy Soared by 10% in Last Quarter of 2003 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/01/business/india-s-economy-soared-by-10-in-last-quarter-of-2003.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1 April 2004 |last=Rai |first=Saritha |access-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818022529/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/01/business/india-s-economy-soared-by-10-in-last-quarter-of-2003.html |archive-date=18 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>


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==== Policies ====
==== Policies ====
Vajpayee's government introduced many domestic economic and infrastructural reforms, including encouraging the private sector and foreign investments, reducing governmental waste, encouraging research and development and privatisation of some government owned corporations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.in.msn.com/National/independenceday09/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3131559&page=4|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104050819/http://news.in.msn.com/National/independenceday09/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3131559&page=4|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2013|title=Vajpayee, the right man in the wrong party&nbsp;– 4&nbsp;&nbsp;– New...|date=4 January 2013|work=archive.is|access-date=24 July 2017}}</ref> Among Vajpayee's projects were the [[National Highways Development Project]] and [[Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/columns/raghuvir-srinivasan/vajpayee-the-intuitive-reformer/article24708987.ece|title=Vajpayee – the intuitive reformer|work=@businessline|access-date=17 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pradhan-mantri-gram-sadak-yojana-how-the-programme-impacted-indian-hinterland/|title=Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: How the programme impacted Indian hinterland|date=25 February 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112072409/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/pradhan-mantri-gram-sadak-yojana-how-the-programme-impacted-indian-hinterland/|archive-date=12 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2001, the Vajpayee government launched the [[Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan]] campaign, aimed at improving the quality of education in primary and secondary schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mhrd.gov.in/schemes|title=Schemes {{!}} Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development|website=mhrd.gov.in|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185239/http://mhrd.gov.in/schemes|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/education/atal-bihari-vajpayees-contribution-towards-education-sector/|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee's contribution towards education sector|date=16 August 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817113725/https://indianexpress.com/article/education/atal-bihari-vajpayees-contribution-towards-education-sector/|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
Vajpayee's government introduced many domestic economic and infrastructural reforms, including encouraging the private sector and foreign investments, reducing governmental waste, encouraging research and development and privatisation of some government owned corporations.<ref name="auto5"/> Among Vajpayee's projects were the [[National Highways Development Project]] and [[Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana]].<ref name="auto4"/><ref name="auto1"/> In 2001, the Vajpayee government launched the [[Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan]] campaign, aimed at improving the quality of education in primary and secondary schools.<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto2"/>


== 2004 general election ==
== 2004 general election ==
[[File:The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee casting his vote at a polling booth in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on May 5, 2004.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister Vajpayee casting his vote at a polling booth in [[Lucknow]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], during the 2004 general election.]]
In 2003, news reports suggested a tussle within the BJP with regard to sharing of leadership between Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/2003/09/25/stories/2003092507200900.htm |title=Vajpayee is our leader, reiterates BJP |last=Vyas |first=Neena |date=25 September 2003 |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040204045322/http://www.thehindu.com/2003/09/25/stories/2003092507200900.htm |archive-date=4 February 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jun/17bidwai.htm |title=BJP's leadership fissures |last=Bidwai |first=Praful |date=17 June 2003 |work=Rediff |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724150819/http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jun/17bidwai.htm |archive-date=24 July 2008 |url-status=live  }}</ref> BJP president Venkaiah Naidu had suggested that Advani must lead the party politically at the 2004 general elections, referring to Vajpayee as ''vikas purush'', Hindi for development man, and Advani as ''loh purush'', iron man.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/atal-bihari-vajpayee-the-pregnant-pause-lengthens-forever/articleshow/65426150.cms|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The pregnant pause lengthens forever|last=Arun|first=T. K.|date=16 August 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817161545/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/atal-bihari-vajpayee-the-pregnant-pause-lengthens-forever/articleshow/65426150.cms|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> When Vajpayee subsequently threatened retirement, Naidu backtracked, announcing that the party would contest the elections under the twin leadership of Vajpayee and Advani.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/06/06/stories/2003060600050800.htm |title=Vikas and loh |last=Raghavan |first=S |date=6 June 2003 |work=Business Line |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523061621/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/06/06/stories/2003060600050800.htm |archive-date=23 May 2006 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
In 2003, news reports suggested a tussle within the BJP with regard to sharing of leadership between Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/2003/09/25/stories/2003092507200900.htm |title=Vajpayee is our leader, reiterates BJP |last=Vyas |first=Neena |date=25 September 2003 |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040204045322/http://www.thehindu.com/2003/09/25/stories/2003092507200900.htm |archive-date=4 February 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jun/17bidwai.htm |title=BJP's leadership fissures |last=Bidwai |first=Praful |date=17 June 2003 |work=Rediff |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724150819/http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jun/17bidwai.htm |archive-date=24 July 2008 |url-status=live  }}</ref> BJP president Venkaiah Naidu had suggested that Advani must lead the party politically at the 2004 general elections, referring to Vajpayee as ''vikas purush'', Hindi for development man, and Advani as ''loh purush'', iron man.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/atal-bihari-vajpayee-the-pregnant-pause-lengthens-forever/articleshow/65426150.cms|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The pregnant pause lengthens forever|last=Arun|first=T. K.|date=16 August 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817161545/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/atal-bihari-vajpayee-the-pregnant-pause-lengthens-forever/articleshow/65426150.cms|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> When Vajpayee subsequently threatened retirement, Naidu backtracked, announcing that the party would contest the elections under the twin leadership of Vajpayee and Advani.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/06/06/stories/2003060600050800.htm |title=Vikas and loh |last=Raghavan |first=S |date=6 June 2003 |work=Business Line |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523061621/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/06/06/stories/2003060600050800.htm |archive-date=23 May 2006 |url-status=live  }}</ref>


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Vajpayee had a stroke in 2009 which impaired his speech.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/A-peek-into-the-life-Atal-Bihari-Vajpayee-now-leads/articleshow/32683790.cms|title=A peek into the life Atal Bihari Vajpayee now leads |work=The Times of India|access-date=27 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723040833/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/A-peek-into-the-life-Atal-Bihari-Vajpayee-now-leads/articleshow/32683790.cms|archive-date=23 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> His health had been a major source of concern; reports said he was reliant on a wheelchair and failed to recognise people. He also had [[dementia]] and long-term [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetes]]. For many years, he had not attended any public engagements and rarely ventured out of the house, except for checkups at the [[All India Institutes of Medical Sciences]].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vajpayee-turns-88-amid-health-concerns_748305.html|title=Vajpayee turns 88 amid health concerns|date=23 December 2011|work=Zee News|access-date=27 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421163628/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vajpayee-turns-88-amid-health-concerns_748305.html|archive-date=21 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
Vajpayee had a stroke in 2009 which impaired his speech.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/A-peek-into-the-life-Atal-Bihari-Vajpayee-now-leads/articleshow/32683790.cms|title=A peek into the life Atal Bihari Vajpayee now leads |work=The Times of India|access-date=27 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723040833/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/A-peek-into-the-life-Atal-Bihari-Vajpayee-now-leads/articleshow/32683790.cms|archive-date=23 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> His health had been a major source of concern; reports said he was reliant on a wheelchair and failed to recognise people. He also had [[dementia]] and long-term [[Diabetes mellitus|diabetes]]. For many years, he had not attended any public engagements and rarely ventured out of the house, except for checkups at the [[All India Institutes of Medical Sciences]].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vajpayee-turns-88-amid-health-concerns_748305.html|title=Vajpayee turns 88 amid health concerns|date=23 December 2011|work=Zee News|access-date=27 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421163628/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vajpayee-turns-88-amid-health-concerns_748305.html|archive-date=21 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>


On 11 June 2018, Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS in critical condition following a kidney infection.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Parth |agency=Press Trust of India |date=12 June 2018 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/atal-bihari-vajpayees-condition-stable-but-will-remain-in-hospital-for-now-says-aiims-1776437.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Condition Stable But Will Remain in Hospital For Now, Says AIIMS |work=News18 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612213712/https://www.news18.com/news/india/atal-bihari-vajpayees-condition-stable-but-will-remain-in-hospital-for-now-says-aiims-1776437.html |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/doctors-say-atal-bihari-vajpayee-s-condition-stable-manmohan-singh-visits-aiims-delhi/story-yN5ABkfB0DPpdt6IlslgMM.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition 'stable', Manmohan Singh pays a visit|date=12 June 2018|access-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612210915/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/doctors-say-atal-bihari-vajpayee-s-condition-stable-manmohan-singh-visits-aiims-delhi/story-yN5ABkfB0DPpdt6IlslgMM.html|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He was officially declared dead there at 5:05&nbsp;pm [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] on 16 August 2018 at the age of 93.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/atal-bihari-vajpayee-former-prime-minister-and-bjp-stalwart-passes-away-aged-93-1845937.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Former Prime Minister and BJP Stalwart, Passes Away Aged 93 at AIIMS|date=16 August 2018|work=[[News18]]|access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="TheHinduDeath">{{cite news|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister, passes away at 93|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-prime-minister-atal-bihari-vajpayee-passes-away-at-93/article24704802.ece|access-date=16 August 2018|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=16 August 2018}}</ref> Some sources claim that he had died on the previous day.<ref name="ndtvDeath">{{cite news|title=Sena Leader Questions Day Of Vajpayee's Death, Links It To PM's Speech|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sena-leader-questions-day-of-vajpayees-death-links-it-to-pms-speech-1906692?type=news&id=1906692&category=india-news|access-date=27 August 2018|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=27 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="PuneMirrordeath">{{cite news|title=Vajpayee death announced a day late, claims PCB official|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/others/vajpayee-death-announced-a-day-late-claims-pcb-official/articleshow/65457569.cms|access-date=19 August 2018|work={{ill|PuneMirror|nl|Pune Mirror}}|date=19 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828140057/https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/others/vajpayee-death-announced-a-day-late-claims-pcb-official/articleshow/65457569.cms|archive-date=28 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On the morning of 17 August, Vajpayee's body, draped with the [[Indian flag]], was taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters where party workers paid their tributes until 1&nbsp;pm. Later that afternoon at 4&nbsp;pm, Vajpayee was cremated with full state honours at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal near [[Raj Ghat and associated memorials|Raj Ghat]], and his pyre was lit by his foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/atal-bihari-vajpayee-laid-to-rest-daughter-namita-lights-funeral-pyre-118081700824_1.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee cremated, daughter Namita lights funeral pyre|agency=Press Trust of India|date=17 August 2018|work=Business Standard India|access-date=18 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817153002/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/atal-bihari-vajpayee-laid-to-rest-daughter-namita-lights-funeral-pyre-118081700824_1.html|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/live-nation-mourns-death-of-atal-bihari-vajpayee/liveblog/65432867.cms|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral live updates: Last rites of Vajpayee performed with full state honours – The Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=18 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817204013/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/live-nation-mourns-death-of-atal-bihari-vajpayee/liveblog/65432867.cms|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Thousands of people and many dignitaries attended his funeral procession, including Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] and President [[Ram Nath Kovind]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayee-funeral-updates-hundreds-queue-up-to-pay-tributes-to-the-former-prime-minister-1901761|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee Funeral Highlights: Former PM Cremated, Thousands Pay Tributes|work=NDTV.com|access-date=18 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818150620/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayee-funeral-updates-hundreds-queue-up-to-pay-tributes-to-the-former-prime-minister-1901761|archive-date=18 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsx.com/national/atal-bihari-vajpayee-former-prime-minister-poet-bjp-aiims-funeral-last-rites-pm-modi|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee funeral: A massive attendance, 21-gun salute and all that happened at Smriti Sthal – NewsX|date=17 August 2018|work=NewsX|access-date=18 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818151031/https://www.newsx.com/national/atal-bihari-vajpayee-former-prime-minister-poet-bjp-aiims-funeral-last-rites-pm-modi|archive-date=18 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 August, his ashes were immersed in [[Ganges|Ganga river]] at [[Haridwar]] by Kaul.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abplive.in/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayees-asthi-kalash-yatra-former-pms-ashes-immersed-in-ganga-744831|title=Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes immersed in Ganga at Haridwar|last=Bureau|first=ABP News|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/former-prime-minister-atal-bihari-vajpayee-s-ashes-immersed-in-ganga-at-haridwar/story-GxJcrHUHVGoixYW3fxQ0ZM.html|title=Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes immersed in Ganga at Haridwar|date=19 August 2018|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref>
On 11 June 2018, Vajpayee was admitted to AIIMS in critical condition following a kidney infection.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Parth |agency=Press Trust of India |date=12 June 2018 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/atal-bihari-vajpayees-condition-stable-but-will-remain-in-hospital-for-now-says-aiims-1776437.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Condition Stable But Will Remain in Hospital For Now, Says AIIMS |work=News18 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612213712/https://www.news18.com/news/india/atal-bihari-vajpayees-condition-stable-but-will-remain-in-hospital-for-now-says-aiims-1776437.html |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/doctors-say-atal-bihari-vajpayee-s-condition-stable-manmohan-singh-visits-aiims-delhi/story-yN5ABkfB0DPpdt6IlslgMM.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee's condition 'stable', Manmohan Singh pays a visit|date=12 June 2018|access-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612210915/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/doctors-say-atal-bihari-vajpayee-s-condition-stable-manmohan-singh-visits-aiims-delhi/story-yN5ABkfB0DPpdt6IlslgMM.html|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He was officially declared dead there at 5:05&nbsp;pm [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] on 16 August 2018 at the age of 93.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/atal-bihari-vajpayee-former-prime-minister-and-bjp-stalwart-passes-away-aged-93-1845937.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Former Prime Minister and BJP Stalwart, Passes Away Aged 93 at AIIMS|date=16 August 2018|work=[[News18]]|access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="TheHinduDeath">{{cite news|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister, passes away at 93|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-prime-minister-atal-bihari-vajpayee-passes-away-at-93/article24704802.ece|access-date=16 August 2018|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=16 August 2018}}</ref> Some sources claim that he had died on the previous day.<ref name="ndtvDeath">{{cite news|title=Sena Leader Questions Day Of Vajpayee's Death, Links It To PM's Speech|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sena-leader-questions-day-of-vajpayees-death-links-it-to-pms-speech-1906692?type=news&id=1906692&category=india-news|access-date=27 August 2018|publisher=[[NDTV]]|date=27 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="PuneMirrordeath">{{cite news|title=Vajpayee death announced a day late, claims PCB official|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/others/vajpayee-death-announced-a-day-late-claims-pcb-official/articleshow/65457569.cms|access-date=19 August 2018|work={{ill|PuneMirror|nl|Pune Mirror}}|date=19 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828140057/https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/others/vajpayee-death-announced-a-day-late-claims-pcb-official/articleshow/65457569.cms|archive-date=28 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On the morning of 17 August, Vajpayee's body, draped with the [[Indian flag]], was taken to the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters where party workers paid their tributes until 1&nbsp;pm. Later that afternoon at 4&nbsp;pm, Vajpayee was cremated with full state honours at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal near [[Raj Ghat and associated memorials|Raj Ghat]], and his pyre was lit by his foster daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/atal-bihari-vajpayee-laid-to-rest-daughter-namita-lights-funeral-pyre-118081700824_1.html|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee cremated, daughter Namita lights funeral pyre|agency=Press Trust of India|date=17 August 2018|work=Business Standard India|access-date=18 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817153002/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/atal-bihari-vajpayee-laid-to-rest-daughter-namita-lights-funeral-pyre-118081700824_1.html|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/live-nation-mourns-death-of-atal-bihari-vajpayee/liveblog/65432867.cms|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral live updates: Last rites of Vajpayee performed with full state honours – The Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=17 August 2018 |access-date=18 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817204013/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/live-nation-mourns-death-of-atal-bihari-vajpayee/liveblog/65432867.cms|archive-date=17 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Thousands of people and many dignitaries attended his funeral procession, including Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] and President [[Ram Nath Kovind]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayee-funeral-updates-hundreds-queue-up-to-pay-tributes-to-the-former-prime-minister-1901761|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee Funeral Highlights: Former PM Cremated, Thousands Pay Tributes|work=NDTV.com|access-date=18 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818150620/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayee-funeral-updates-hundreds-queue-up-to-pay-tributes-to-the-former-prime-minister-1901761|archive-date=18 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsx.com/national/atal-bihari-vajpayee-former-prime-minister-poet-bjp-aiims-funeral-last-rites-pm-modi|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee funeral: A massive attendance, 21-gun salute and all that happened at Smriti Sthal – NewsX|date=17 August 2018|work=NewsX|access-date=18 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818151031/https://www.newsx.com/national/atal-bihari-vajpayee-former-prime-minister-poet-bjp-aiims-funeral-last-rites-pm-modi|archive-date=18 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 August, his ashes were immersed in [[Ganges|Ganga river]] at [[Haridwar]] by Kaul.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abplive.in/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayees-asthi-kalash-yatra-former-pms-ashes-immersed-in-ganga-744831|title=Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes immersed in Ganga at Haridwar|last=Bureau|first=ABP News|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/former-prime-minister-atal-bihari-vajpayee-s-ashes-immersed-in-ganga-at-haridwar/story-GxJcrHUHVGoixYW3fxQ0ZM.html|title=Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's ashes immersed in Ganga at Haridwar|date=19 August 2018|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref>


=== Reactions and tributes  ===
=== Reactions and tributes  ===
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* United States: U.S. Secretary of State [[Michael Pompeo]] said Vajpayee recognised early on that the US-India partnership would contribute to the world's economic prosperity and security and the two democracies would continue to benefit from his vision. "On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee", Pompeo said in a statement yesterday. He recalled Vajpayee's address to the Congress in 2000, when he had famously characterised US-India ties as a "natural partnership of shared endeavours". "Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation", Pompeo said. He said the American people stand with the people of India "as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing".<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement by Secretary Pompeo on Passing of Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee |url=https://in.usembassy.gov/statement-by-secretary-of-state-michael-r-pompeo-on-passing-of-former-indian-prime-minister-atal-bihari-vajpayee/ |website=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India |publisher=in.usembassy.gov |access-date=19 August 2018 |date=17 August 2018}}</ref>
* United States: U.S. Secretary of State [[Michael Pompeo]] said Vajpayee recognised early on that the US-India partnership would contribute to the world's economic prosperity and security and the two democracies would continue to benefit from his vision. "On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of India on the recent passing of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee", Pompeo said in a statement yesterday. He recalled Vajpayee's address to the Congress in 2000, when he had famously characterised US-India ties as a "natural partnership of shared endeavours". "Today, our two countries and our bilateral relationship continue to benefit from Prime Minister Vajpayee vision, which helped promote expanded cooperation", Pompeo said. He said the American people stand with the people of India "as we mourn Prime Minister Vajpayee's passing".<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement by Secretary Pompeo on Passing of Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee |url=https://in.usembassy.gov/statement-by-secretary-of-state-michael-r-pompeo-on-passing-of-former-indian-prime-minister-atal-bihari-vajpayee/ |website=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India |publisher=in.usembassy.gov |access-date=19 August 2018 |date=17 August 2018}}</ref>


== Honours ==
== Honours, awards and international recognition ==
=== National honours ===
=== Awards ===
*India:
* 1993, [[Doctor of Letters|D. Lit.]] from [[Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University|Kanpur University]]<ref name=":0" />
**[[Bharat Ratna]] (2015)
* 1994, Lokmanya Tilak Award<ref name=":0" />
**[[Padma Vibhushan]] (1992)
* 1994, [[Outstanding Parliamentarian Award]]<ref name=":0" />
* 1994, Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant Award<ref name=":0" />


=== Foreign honours ===
=== State honours ===
*Bangladesh:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
**Recipient of the [[Awards and decorations of the Bangladesh Liberation War|Bangladesh Liberation War Honour]] (2016)
|--
*Morocco:
! colspan=2 width="350px" | Decoration
**Grand Cordon of the [[Order of Ouissam Alaouite]] (13 February 1999)<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.gettyimages.in/detail/news-photo/indian-prime-minister-atal-behari-vajpayee-is-welcomed-and-news-photo/103938127?adppopup=true| title = Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is welcomed and decorated... News Photo – Getty Images}}</ref>
! width="100px" | Country
! width="100px" | Date
! width="300px" | Note
! Ref.
|-
| [[File:Padma Vibhushan Ribbon.svg|100x100px]]
| '''[[Padma Vibhushan]]'''
| {{flag|India}}
| 1992
| The second-highest civilian honour of India.
|
|-
| [[File:Ordre de l'Ouissam Alaouite Chevalier ribbon (Maroc).svg|100x100px]]
| '''[[Order of Ouissam Alaouite]]'''
| {{flag|Morocco}}
| 13 February 1999
| ''Grand Cordon'', the highest degree of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite.
|  <ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.gettyimages.in/detail/news-photo/indian-prime-minister-atal-behari-vajpayee-is-welcomed-and-news-photo/103938127?adppopup=true| title = Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is welcomed and decorated... News Photo – Getty Images}}</ref>
|-
| [[File:Bharat Ratna Ribbon.svg|100x100px]]
| '''[[Bharat Ratna]]'''
| {{flag|India}}
| 27 March 2015
| The highest civilian honour of India.
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee to get Bharat Ratna at his home on March 27 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/atal-bihari-vajpayee-get-bharat-ratna-on-march-27-madan-mohan-malviya-245859-2015-03-25 |access-date=23 April 2023 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[File:Noribbon.svg|100x100px]]
| '''[[Awards and decorations of the Bangladesh Liberation War|Bangladesh Liberation War honour]]'''
| {{flag|Bangladesh}}
| 7 June 2015
| ''Friends of Bangladesh Liberation War'' honour
| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Unb |first=Dhaka |date=8 June 2015 |title=Vajpayee honoured |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/vajpayee-honoured-93679 |access-date=23 April 2023 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 June 2015 |title=Vajpayee to be honoured with 'Friends of Bangladesh Liberation War Award' by Bangladesh |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/vajpayee-to-be-honoured-with-friends-of-bangladesh-liberation-war-award-by-bangladesh/articleshow/47498345.cms |access-date=23 April 2023 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
|}


=== Other achievements ===
=== Other achievements ===
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* In August 2018, Naya Raipur was renamed as [[Atal Nagar]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chhattisgarh-cabinet-agrees-to-rename-naya-raipur-as-atal-nagar-vajpayee-5317603/|title=Chhattisgarh Cabinet agrees to rename Naya Raipur as Atal Nagar|date=21 August 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=21 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="htorgNews">{{cite news |title=Chhattisgarh Govt Renames {{sic|I|t's|nolink=y}} New Capital Naya Raipur To "Atal Nagar", Pays Tribute To Vajpayee in Unique Way |url=https://headlinestoday.org/national/1802/chhattisgarh-govt-renames-it-new-capital-naya-raipur-to-atal-nagar-pays-tribute-in-unique-way/ |access-date=21 August 2018 |agency=Headlines Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821191859/https://headlinestoday.org/national/1802/chhattisgarh-govt-renames-it-new-capital-naya-raipur-to-atal-nagar-pays-tribute-in-unique-way/ |archive-date=21 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* In August 2018, Naya Raipur was renamed as [[Atal Nagar]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chhattisgarh-cabinet-agrees-to-rename-naya-raipur-as-atal-nagar-vajpayee-5317603/|title=Chhattisgarh Cabinet agrees to rename Naya Raipur as Atal Nagar|date=21 August 2018|work=The Indian Express|access-date=21 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="htorgNews">{{cite news |title=Chhattisgarh Govt Renames {{sic|I|t's|nolink=y}} New Capital Naya Raipur To "Atal Nagar", Pays Tribute To Vajpayee in Unique Way |url=https://headlinestoday.org/national/1802/chhattisgarh-govt-renames-it-new-capital-naya-raipur-to-atal-nagar-pays-tribute-in-unique-way/ |access-date=21 August 2018 |agency=Headlines Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821191859/https://headlinestoday.org/national/1802/chhattisgarh-govt-renames-it-new-capital-naya-raipur-to-atal-nagar-pays-tribute-in-unique-way/ |archive-date=21 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* In October 2018, four Himalayan peaks near Gangotri glacier named after his name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/4-mountain-peaks-named-after-former-pm-atal-bihari-vajpayee-1373419-2018-10-23|title=4 mountain peaks named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee|website=India Today|access-date=6 November 2018}}</ref>
* In October 2018, four Himalayan peaks near Gangotri glacier named after his name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/4-mountain-peaks-named-after-former-pm-atal-bihari-vajpayee-1373419-2018-10-23|title=4 mountain peaks named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee|website=India Today|access-date=6 November 2018}}</ref>
== Awards ==
* 1993, [[Doctor of Letters|D. Lit.]] from [[Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University|Kanpur University]]<ref name=":0" />
* 1994, Lokmanya Tilak Award<ref name=":0" />
* 1994, [[Outstanding Parliamentarian Award]]<ref name=":0" />
* 1994, Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant Award<ref name=":0" />


== Published works ==
== Published works ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
 
{{Commons category|Atal Bihari Vajpayee}}
 
{{wikisource author}}
 
* [http://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/former_pm/shri-atal-bihari-vajpayee/ Profile] – Govt. of India
* [http://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/former_pm/shri-atal-bihari-vajpayee/ Profile] – Govt. of India
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1746861.stm Profile] at ''[[BBC News]]''
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1746861.stm Profile] at ''[[BBC News]]''
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