Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be remembered as a towering political figure in India.
Shri Vajpayee is fondly remembered by his followers, his fellow party men and his political opponents.
Dr Mahipatray Mehta, ex-Member of Parliament from Kutch and Shri Vajpayee shared a strong bond. Dr Mehta's son Dipak Mehta has shared his memories with SBS Gujarati.
Dr Mahipatray Mehta was a member of parliament from the Congress party. He was first elected for Rajya Sabha in 1960 where Shri Vajpayee became a member of parliament in 1962. 
Dr Mehta raised the issue of border security and demanded a state status for Kutch. "During 1965, Indo-Pak war Dr Mehta raised the issue of security," says Dipak Mehta.
Kutch was merged with the Indian federation in 1948. It was a class 'C' state. There were only three states under this category - Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Kutch.
First pic - Dr. Mahipatray Mehta with Pt. Naheru and Second Pic - Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Dr. Mahipatray Mehta Source: Dipak Mehta
Dr.Mahipatray Mehta with Lal Krishna Advani and Political leaders at BHEL Source: Dipak Mehta
"He demanded an independent status for Kutch under the direct supervision of central Government. The speech was so appealing that Vajpayee met Dr Mehta in Parliament's corridor and hugged him and gave him the compliment."
"The speech was so appealing that Vajpayee met Dr Mehta in Parliament's corridor and hugged him and gave him the compliment."- Dipak Mehta.
"Shri Vajpayee said though we Bhartiy Jansangh people believe in Akhand Bharat (One Nation), the way you have put the issues and question of People of Kutch and Kutch region boldly and bravely and I congratulate you for the same" Dipak Mehta added.
"When Vajpayee and Dr Mehta was interacting with each other, In his own style Vajpayee told him that Doctor, I had to take a long and difficult journey, and for two nights I could not sleep due to mosquitoes." recollects Dipak Mehta.
When speaking in Parliament once, Atal Bihari Vajpayee said that whenever anyone speaks or talks of Kutch, Dr Mehta will be remembered, Dr Mehta was not a political person, he was a doctor. He fought the election for the betterment of people of Kutch. He was only and only concern about the development of Kutch... Jab Jab Kutch Ki Baat Aayegi, Dr Mehta ko Yaad Kiya Jayega."
" Dr Mehta was not a political person, he was a doctor. He fought the election for the betterment of people of Kutch. He was only and only concern about the development of Kutch... Jab Jab Kutch Ki Baat Aayegi, Dr Mehta ko Yaad Kiya Jayega."
If we look at Dr Mahipatray Mehta's political journey, he was a member of Rajya Sabha from 1960 - 1966, member of state assembly from 1967- 1970 and again he was a member of Lok Sabha from 1971 to 1977 and from 1980 to 1984. He was also president of the Gujarat Congress.
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