Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary pays tribute to Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on the latter's death anniversary in Patna on June 23, 2026. Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
By A Correspondent
Patna: Bihar Chief Minister (CM) Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday attended a tribute programme held at Atal Auditorium in the BJP state office to mark the death anniversary (Balidan Diwas) of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee, founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, a noted nationalist thinker and eminent educationist. He paid his humble respects to the late leader and formally inaugurated the event by lighting a ceremonial lamp.
Addressing the gathering, Samrat Choudhary said that Dr Mukherjee’s life, dedicated to national interest, a united India, and cultural pride, continues to inspire generations. He added that the nation will always remember his service and sacrifice. Drawing a historical comparison, he remarked that after Chanakya, if there was any leader who worked towards unifying the country, it was Dr Mukherjee, who envisioned an undivided India. He also recalled the long-standing slogan of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh—“one nation cannot have two constitutions, two heads and two symbols”—coined by Dr Mukherjee.
Choudhary further stated that when democracy was under threat in the country, members of the Jana Sangh dissolved the party in the larger national interest. He noted that the Bharatiya Janata Party later emerged in 1980.
Choudhary credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with strengthening democratic systems, adding that in 2019 the people of India gave him a strong mandate, enabling the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir. He emphasised that for them, the nation comes first, followed by individuals and then the party. Highlighting the BJP’s growth, he said the party had only two Members of Parliament in 1984, which rose to 282 in 2014.
He also announced that a grand new park in the name of Dr Mukherjee would be dedicated to the public on this day next year. Referring to past and present alliances, he said that under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a coalition of around 27–28 parties was formed, and a similar coalition exists today under Modi’s leadership. He added that Modi holds the distinction of being the longest-serving elected Prime Minister.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister paid floral tributes and expressed deep reverence for Dr Mukherjee, stating that the entire nation stands united in his memory.
The event was attended by former Union Minister and MP Radha Mohan Singh, Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, MLA Ratnesh Kushwaha, former MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul, former MLA Pawan Jaiswal, along with several other public representatives and a large number of party workers.
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