Archive · 17 Dec 2025
BJP Initially Considered Vajpayee for President
A book by Ashok Tandon, Vajpayee's media advisor, reveals that the BJP first thought about making Atal Bihari Vajpayee the President of India before choosing APJ Abdul Kalam.
Vajpayee refused because he thought it would be bad for democracy if a popular Prime Minister became President just because of their majority.
The BJP then invited leaders from the opposition party, Congress, to discuss and support Kalam's nomination.
The book also talks about how Vajpayee and Advani had a good relationship and worked well together.
During a terrorist attack on Parliament, Vajpayee and Sonia Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, had a caring phone conversation.
The BJP initially considered Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the President's post before nominating APJ Abdul Kalam.
Vajpayee refused the suggestion, believing it would set a wrong precedent for Indian parliamentary democracy.
The BJP invited leaders from the Congress party, including Sonia Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee, and Dr. Manmohan Singh, to build consensus for the presidential post.
Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani had a strong and cooperative relationship, despite some policy differences.
During the 2001 Parliament attack, Vajpayee and Sonia Gandhi had a phone conversation expressing concern for each other's safety.
- Who
- BJP, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, APJ Abdul Kalam, Sonia Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee, Dr. Manmohan Singh
- What
- BJP initially considered Vajpayee for President before nominating Kalam; Vajpayee refused to avoid setting a wrong precedent; BJP invited opposition leaders to build consensus for the presidential post.
- When
- Events took place before the 2002 presidential election, with Vajpayee's tenure as Prime Minister and the Parliament attack in 2001.
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- Vajpayee believed becoming President by virtue of majority would set a wrong precedent for Indian parliamentary democracy.
- Primary Category
- POLITICS
- Secondary Category
- Political Leadership
- Tertiary Category
- Presidential Elections
- Quaternary Category
- BJP Leadership
- Key Figures
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, APJ Abdul Kalam, Sonia Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee, Dr. Manmohan Singh
- Event
- 2001 Parliament Attack
- Book
- Atal Smaran by Ashok Tandon
- Presidential Term
- 2002-2007
Sources
Before Kalam, BJP Floated Vajpayee's Name For President: Former PM's Aide Reveals In Book
Before Kalam, BJP floated Vajpayee's name for Prez: Book
Before Abdul Kalam, BJP Floated Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Name For President: Book
