Former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee shared a unique bonding with the coastal district as he had visited the district at least six times.
Vajpayee visited Udupi in 2001 and is fondly remembered by the leaders and the masses.
Vajpayee shared a unique rapport with the late BJP veteran Dr V S Acharya. After Udupi was taken over by Jan Sangh in 1969, the former prime minister had visited twice during the tenure and also had travelled with Acharya. Then, Acharya himself had driven the car to Goa.
Acharya’s wife Shantha Acharya added that the former prime minister was known for his simplicity. He had breakfast in their house before leaving to Goa, she said.
In a condolence message, Pejawar seer Vishwesha Theertha Swami said that Vajpayee’s death is an immense loss to the nation. The last visit of Vajpayee was in 2001 wherein he inaugurated the newly built Rajangana. He also served food at the venue on the occasion, he remembered.
In 1994, Vajpayee was traveling to Shivamogga through Mangaluru. He visited Udupi on the way and he was felicitated by the municipality under the presidentship of Gujjadi Prabhakar Nayak.
Nayak remembered the great leader for his friendly approach and the outstanding guidance. He had also addressed the gathering on the occasion, he added.
In 2001 when he arrived in Udupi, he had stayed at the Inspection Bungalow. Sitting MLA Raghupathy Bhat was one of the caretakers as he was an office-bearer of the BJP Yuva Morcha.
Bhat said that the late leader worked whole night and also looked into the files and write poems. He was a hard working person, he added.
Former minister Pramod Madhwaraj said that the late leader was an epitome of patience. He and a fishermen’s delegation had visited the former prime minister when he was in the city in 2001.
Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, sharing a few photographs on social media, recollected the memories of Vajpayee’s visit to Joshi Nivas in Kumble in 1986.