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Vajpayee pledges cooperation to new govt
New Delhi, May 13: Shortly after resigning after the stunning defeat of NDA in the Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee tonight said, `Our hand of cooperation` would be extended to the new government in all its endeavours that are in the interest of the nation and the people.
New Delhi, May 13: Shortly after resigning after the
stunning defeat of NDA in the Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister
Atal Bihari Vajpayee tonight said, "Our hand of cooperation"
would be extended to the new government in all its endeavours
that are in the interest of the nation and the people.
"We have given up office, but not our responsibility to
serve the nation. We have lost an election, but not our
determination," he said in an address to nation.
"Victory and defeat are a part of life, which are to be viewed with equanimity," he said.
Vajpayee said, "We will always extend our hand of cooperation to the new government in all its endeavours that are in the interest of the nation and the people".
Vajpayee, who submitted his resignation to President A P J Kalam this evening at Rashtrapati Bhavan, said, "Elections to the 14th Lok Sabha are over. The voters have given their verdict. I accept the verdict." The Prime Minister had a special word of thanks to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for once again reposing their faith in democracy and for giving a firm rebuff to the forces of militancy.
"India has shown its resolve and capability to overcome the challenge of cross-border terrorism," he said.
Referring to "historic" peace process with Pakistan, he said, "It will remain my lifelong wish to see that we herald a new chapter of peace, cooperation and friendship in South Asia, with the people's Republic of China and with other nations in the world".
Contending that India is the world's largest democracy, the Prime Minister said, "It is always with the will of the people that governments have been formed--and changed. "This power of democracy is a matter of pride for our country, something which we must always cherish, preserve and further strengthen."
Recalling the mandate given to him to serve as prime minister since march, 1998, he said people's "goodwill and affection were my greatest asset. Your support and trust were my greatest source of strength."
Observing that the nation was faced with a challenge of stability, good governance and development when he came to power, he said, "It is for you-and history- to judge what we achieved during this period." Voicing satisfaction that the country was now stronger and more prosperous than when he took over the reigns of office, Vajpayee said India's strides in social and economic development during the past three years have announced its capability as well as resolve to emerge as a developed nation soon. "My party and alliance may have lost, but India has won".
Maintaining that India is a multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic nation, the Prime Minister said, "However, inspite of her immense diversities, our national culture has woven an unbreakable thread of unity since antiquity.
"We try to replicate this ethos of unity in diversity in running our coalition government. We strengthened Indian democracy by demonstrating that coalition governance can be stable, and also successfully deal with the challenges before the nation."
Stressing that his government reinforced the bonds of national unity and social solidarity, Vajpayee said, "We laid emphasis on resolving contentious issues through dialogue, in an atmosphere of peace and mutual goodwill".
Bureau Report
"Victory and defeat are a part of life, which are to be viewed with equanimity," he said.
Vajpayee said, "We will always extend our hand of cooperation to the new government in all its endeavours that are in the interest of the nation and the people".
Vajpayee, who submitted his resignation to President A P J Kalam this evening at Rashtrapati Bhavan, said, "Elections to the 14th Lok Sabha are over. The voters have given their verdict. I accept the verdict." The Prime Minister had a special word of thanks to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for once again reposing their faith in democracy and for giving a firm rebuff to the forces of militancy.
"India has shown its resolve and capability to overcome the challenge of cross-border terrorism," he said.
Referring to "historic" peace process with Pakistan, he said, "It will remain my lifelong wish to see that we herald a new chapter of peace, cooperation and friendship in South Asia, with the people's Republic of China and with other nations in the world".
Contending that India is the world's largest democracy, the Prime Minister said, "It is always with the will of the people that governments have been formed--and changed. "This power of democracy is a matter of pride for our country, something which we must always cherish, preserve and further strengthen."
Recalling the mandate given to him to serve as prime minister since march, 1998, he said people's "goodwill and affection were my greatest asset. Your support and trust were my greatest source of strength."
Observing that the nation was faced with a challenge of stability, good governance and development when he came to power, he said, "It is for you-and history- to judge what we achieved during this period." Voicing satisfaction that the country was now stronger and more prosperous than when he took over the reigns of office, Vajpayee said India's strides in social and economic development during the past three years have announced its capability as well as resolve to emerge as a developed nation soon. "My party and alliance may have lost, but India has won".
Maintaining that India is a multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic nation, the Prime Minister said, "However, inspite of her immense diversities, our national culture has woven an unbreakable thread of unity since antiquity.
"We try to replicate this ethos of unity in diversity in running our coalition government. We strengthened Indian democracy by demonstrating that coalition governance can be stable, and also successfully deal with the challenges before the nation."
Stressing that his government reinforced the bonds of national unity and social solidarity, Vajpayee said, "We laid emphasis on resolving contentious issues through dialogue, in an atmosphere of peace and mutual goodwill".
Bureau Report