Mahajan was a blend of professionalism, mission: Advani

Mumbai, May 3 (UNI) Senior BJP leader L K Advani today described the late Pramod Mahajan as ''a perfect blend of both mission and professional approach.'' Speaking at a function organised by the party to observe the first anniversary of death of Mahajan here, Mr Advani said, ''He had an element of commitment to the party and was prepared to use all modern technology for its development.'' The BJP leader recalled how his former young colleague came out with the idea of conducting a rath yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya, which created a huge impact on the Indian political scenario.

In other democratic countries, politics is considered as a profession, while in India most of the politicians started in the pre-Independence era, considering politics as their mission, he said.

''Mahajan was a rare person having the capacity of being a strategist and to innovate ideas for the betterment of the party,'' Mr Advani said.

Mahajan handled every assignment given to him by the party, including handling of various ministries, with perfect ease, he added.

Mr Advani also recalled how Mahajan had suggested to him to organise a yatra in North East, which would have helped the party to gain foothold in the region.

He also released a book on late Mahajan, 'A Leader With Vision - Pramod Mahajan', which has articles from various eminent personalities, Mahajan's speeches in United Nations, Parliament and other places and has the foreword by Mr Advani.

Large section of the BJP followers, Mahajan's family members, former Union ministers Ram Naik, Jaiwantiben Mehta, state BJP president Nitin Gadkari and party general secretary and Mahajan's brother-in-law Gopinath Munde, were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Munde said he was with Mahajan for the last 39 years and the past one year his absence was very traumatic for him.

Mr Gadkari said the party should make efforts to reach to a better position in Maharashtra, which is currently at number four, and described the task as the perfect condolence to the departed leader.

UNI