The monsoon session of Odisha Assembly began Tuesday with obituary references to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lok Sabha ex-speaker Somnath Chatterjee and former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi.
The members also paid tribute to deceased Odisha minister Jadunath Das Mohapatra, MLAs Suryamani Jena, Muralidhar Kuanr and Braja Kishore Mohanty and martyred head constable Sanjay Majhi during the 30-minute session.
As a mark of respect to the departed leaders, Speaker P K Amat adjourned the proceedings till tomorrow.
As soon as the members gathered in the Assembly, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik moved a condolence motion, which was supported by the Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra and BJP legislature party leader KV Singhdeo.
Stating that Vajpayee's demise was a "great national loss as well as a personal loss" for him, Patnaik said: "I will always cherish my association with the late Prime Minister, especially during the initial years of my life."
Vajpayee was an "astute leader" who showed to the world the art of managing a coalition government by embracing its diversities, he said.
"He embodied a unique combination of grace, idealism and tolerance. A true statesman, he was admired across the political spectrum. His depth of vision and understanding of issues was unparalleled. He had a large heart with special love for Odisha," the CM observed.
Talking about Karunanidhi, the chief minister said his demise ended an era in Tamil Nadu politics.
"The DMK patriarch will always be remembered for the immense contribution he made to Tamil cinema, literature and politics," he added.
Senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra described Vajpayee as one of the tallest leaders in India.
"Despite differences in political ideology, I was profoundly impressed by his personality and behaviour. He believed in democracy and did not spare anybody who did not observe the 'Raj Dharma'."
On Somnath Chatterjee, the Leader of Opposition said he always fought for justice.
"I had met him several times in Delhi. In a way, he was my friend, philosopher and guide. With his demise, the country has lost a great leader, who always fought for the poor and the downtrodden to uphold justice," Mishra said.
Stating that India has lost its worthy son, Singhdeo dubbed Vajpayee as a "distinguished parliamentarian who put nation before politics".
"Politically a liberal and a Hindutva proponent, he was the only leader who could easily reconcile two seemingly opposite ideologies and make them work together. Although criticised as a right man in a wrong party, he had time and again clarified that he is part and parcel of the BJP movement," he said.
The former prime minister showed exemplary political acumen and leadership qualities, the BJP Legislature Party Leader maintained.
"Not only did he lead a coalition government of 33 parties, but also took India's economic development to greater heights," Singhdeo added.
The 13th session of Odisha Legislative Assembly will continue till September 20.
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