Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya true statesmen: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

At the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Saturday.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday unveiled the portraits of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and educationist Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya at the Delhi Legislative Assembly and called each of them true statesmen.

Addressing a gathering, after the unveiling ceremony, Singh said, “Politics is not meant for the pursuit of power; it is a sacred trust of public service, and democracy endures only when guided by integrity and character.”

Reflecting on the lives of the two leaders, the Singh stated that they exemplified the highest standards of moral integrity, democratic responsibility, and national commitment, and that their public conduct continues to offer enduring guidance on ethical politics, unity of purpose, and the precedence of long-term national interest over transient political gains.

The programme was held in the presence of Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh and others.

The defence minister, accompanied by CM Gupta, also inaugurated a coffee table book titled ‘Bharat Mata’.

He also said that the occasion symbolises not only a tribute to two great individuals, but also a reaffirmation of enduring values — ethical politics, education-led nation-building, parliamentary dignity, and public service.

“The lives of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya affirm that democracy flourishes when guided by integrity, character, and a steadfast commitment to the nation,” he said.

Speaker Gupta, meanwhile, said: “These portraits are not merely images on the walls of the Assembly; they are guiding lights for India’s present and future.”

CM Gupta also paid tributes to Malaviya and Vajpayee. She said that both leaders devoted their entire lives to nation-building, lived the spirit of ‘Nation First’ in action, and laid the foundations of education, democratic values, and development that continue to shape modern India.

Referring to the release of the coffee table book on their lives and contributions, the chief minister said it would serve as a valuable resource for students, researchers, and policymakers, and added that remembering such great souls and following the path they set is essential to realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.