SHIMLA: Prem Kumar Dhumal, chief minister felicitated former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 85th birth anniversary.

In his message, he said that Vajpayee is a voracious leader to whom the country would be grateful in times to come. He said that Vajpayee is widely respected within the country as a noble statesman, who is highly acclaimed for his remarkable decisions as a Prime Minister. He said that,Vajpayee accorded priority to the people of this hill State and took keen interest in overall development of the State during his regime.

Well known and respected for his love for poetry, Vajpayee is an eloquent speaker whose policies were focused on economic empowerment of rural India. Chief Minister wished him a long and healthy life.