Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal

GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday said former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee acted as a unifying factor, cutting across divides of geography, religion and language.

Vajpayee made sacrifices for the country throughout his life, Sonowal said, speaking at a programme organised in his memory here by the state government.

The chief minister also highlighted the former PM's contribution to Assam and the north-east in the form of construction of the Bogibeel bridge, linking the state with the East-West Corridor and setting up of the DoNER Ministry, among others.

Governor Jagdish Mukhi, speaking at the same event, said Vajpayee believed in dialogue and consensus to solve problems and could sustain an alliance government because of this quality.

Recalling his sense of humour as an asset, the Governor said he would make witty remarks even in tense situations in the Parliament, which would relax the environment, while bringing the discussion back on track.

The former prime minister's death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences ( AIIMS ) hospital on August 16. He was 93.

