NDA leaders meet at JP Nadda’s residence to commemorate Vajpayee’s birth centenary

Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) gathered at BJP president JP Nadda’s residence in New Delhi on Wednesday to observe the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The meeting was attended by key figures including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president Chandrababu Naidu, Union ministers Rajiv Ranjan Singh (JD-U), Anupriya Patel (Apna Dal), and H.D. Kumaraswamy (JD-S). Also present were Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha, and Bharath Dharma Jana Sena president Thushar Vellappally.

While no formal agenda was officially disclosed, sources reported that discussions centered on governance and political strategies. A primary focus was reinforcing Vajpayee’s legacy of effective coalition governance, as he is credited with leading India’s first coalition government to successfully complete a full term. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continue his approach of inclusive and effective governance, particularly in coalition management and national development.

A significant part of the discussion involved constitutional matters, with Home Minister Amit Shah addressing the issues raised by the Congress party. Shah reportedly emphasized the need for the NDA to stay focused on advancing government policies, urging leaders to ignore distractions such as Congress’s commentary on figures like Ambedkar. Shah also reminded the leaders of Congress's historical missteps, including the 1975 Emergency imposed without obtaining the President’s signature.

The meeting also explored ways to improve internal coordination within the NDA. A proposal was made for a Cabinet Minister and a Minister of State to work more closely with Members of Parliament (MPs) to address their concerns, provide support, and ensure the smooth functioning of the alliance. This initiative aims to strengthen communication and resolve any issues raised by MPs in the NDA fold.

In line with Vajpayee’s vision, the NDA leaders agreed to convene future meetings on his birth anniversary to commemorate his contributions. The alliance also reaffirmed its strong backing for the proposal of simultaneous elections. All NDA constituents lent their support to the idea, and a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has been formed to scrutinize two bills related to holding concurrent elections. The JPC is scheduled to meet on January 8 to begin the examination of the proposed legislation.