Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Here's a look at major events in former PM's political journey

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises and held together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics, died on Thursday. He was 93.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee. File Photo

NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of India's most charismatic leaders who led the nation through several crises and held together a tenuous coalition with his inclusive politics, died here on Thursday. He was 93. Here's a look at the political journey of Atal Bihari Vajpayee 1942 - Joins Quit India Movement, jailed during freedom struggle. 1951 - Becomes founder-member of erstwhile Jana Sangh, a precursor to Bharatiya Janata Party. 1957 - Becomes leader of Jana Sangh; elected to Lok Sabha for first time. 1962 - Elected to Rajya Sabha. 1968 - President, Bharatiya Jana Sangh (1968-1973). 1975 - Placed under house arrest during Emergency. 1977 - Becomes founder-member of Janata Party (1977-1980), External Affairs Minister in Janata Party government. 1980 - President, BJP (1980-1986) 1984 - Loses Lok Sabha election to Madhavrao Scindia from his home town Gwalior. 1992 - Conferred Padma Vibhushan. 1996 - Becomes PM, but government lasts only 13 days. 1998 - NDA comes to power again, sworn in as PM for 2nd time. His govt carries out a series of successful nuclear tests at Pokhran and India declares itself a nuclear weapons state. 1999 - Bus journey to Pakistan in February 1999 was widely appreciated for starting a new era of negotiations to resolve the long-pending dispute between the two countries. * India wins Kargil war, Vajpayee hailed for successful leadership. * Resigns after his government loses a parliamentary vote of confidence on April 13, 1999. * Sworn in as PM for third time on October 13, 1999 after his party and its allies regain control. 2001 - Holds Agra Summit with then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf; talks break down. 2004 - NDA loses polls. 2005 - Announces his retirement from politics. 2015 - Conferred Bharat Ratna.