Renowned author Abhishek Choudhary, during the launch of his book “Vajpayee: The Ascent of the Hindu Right 1924-1977,” dispelled the notion that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the “right man in the wrong party.” Choudhary emphasized that Vajpayee was indeed the “right man in the right party,” and he consistently stood by the Sangh parivar, even during challenging times. The book launch event witnessed the presence of BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, and other notable personalities.
Choudhary highlighted Vajpayee’s unwavering support for the Sangh parivar, even when it faced a ban following Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. He pointed out that Vajpayee defended the organization whenever it was in need, contributing to the common perception that he was the “right man” for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Swapan Dasgupta echoed Choudhary’s sentiments, characterizing Vajpayee as a “conservative” and “traditionalist” rather than a “liberal.” He emphasized that Vajpayee embodied the essence of the Indian Right, and it was the Congress party’s shift towards the Left that provided space for Vajpayee and other right-wing leaders in Indian politics.
Addressing misconceptions about Vajpayee, Dasgupta acknowledged his ambivalence on certain issues but clarified that it did not imply a lack of strong convictions. According to Dasgupta, Vajpayee underwent a transformation after assuming the position of Prime Minister, and the new biography aims to portray him from a Hindu perspective.
Dasgupta also shed light on the political landscape of that era, highlighting the RSS’s decision to establish a political arm following the ban in 1948 and the Congress party’s marginalization of conservatives. He further emphasized the growing relevance of leaders like Vajpayee as the Congress party leaned left under the influence of the communist party.
In response, Shashi Tharoor acknowledged that in his younger years, Vajpayee represented aspects of Hindu majoritarianism that were concerning. However, he acknowledged Vajpayee’s popularity among the masses for his leadership during his six-year tenure as Prime Minister and the contrasting behavior of successive BJP governments.
Tharoor also acknowledged the need for Vajpayee to strike a balance and moderate some of his beliefs to maintain a coalition government.
The new biography on Atal Bihari Vajpayee seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of his political journey, dispelling misconceptions and shedding light on his role as a leader within the BJP and the broader Hindu Right movement.
