House adjourned after paying tributes to Parrikar, others

Bhopal: The state assembly was adjourned on the first day of the monsoon session after paying tributes to former chief minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar, former Union minister Vimla Verma, former minister Shivnarayan Meena and former MLAs Sundarlal Tiwari, Gangabai Ureiti, Vijay Kumar Patni, Satish Kumar Chouhan, Meera Dhurve and Balram Singh Thakur.

The House also paid homage to martyred CRPF jawans — Harishchandra Pal and Sandeep Yadav, besides spiritual guru Satyamitranand Giri, founder of Bharat Mata Mandir in Haridwar.

Addressing the House, chief minister Kamal Nath said, “I express sorrow and grief as some of those who passed away have been our friends and colleagues. But everyone’s time comes to depart. I also pay homage to the martyred jawans.”

Leader of opposition Gopal Bhargava said, “A person like former defence minister Manohar Parrikar is hard to find in today’s politics. His life will give inspiration to all of us.” Bhargava recalled that he once took a trip to Goa and Parrikar as chief minister came to visit him riding a scooter. “He came to meet me on a scooter. Everyone knew him in Goa for his simplicity. If we can follow his ideals, our lives would be successful,” Bhargava said.

After mentioning former ministers and MLAs, Bhargava also mentioned about martyred CRPF head constable Harish Chandra Pal who was killed in a Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh in April and Sandeep Yadav who was slain in Anantnag terror attack. “This is the land of the brave. To end Naxalism and terrorism, this state will continue to sacrifice lives,” Bhargava said. He paid tribute to Satyamitranand Giri for his patriotism and devotion towards Bharat Mata.

Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Manohar Parrikar made unprecedented contribution towards development of Goa as chief minister. “Once he reduced the price of petrol by Rs 10 per litre. This move put a lot of stress on other chief ministers like me. But Manohar Parikkar never deterred from taking tough decisions,” Chouhan said. He recalled that one rank one pension was a big challenge before the Narendra Modi government in its first term and as defence minister Parrikar implemented it.

The House observed two minutes silence to pay respect to the departed souls. Speaker NP Prajapati adjourned the House after paying the homage.