Shimla, Aug 2: Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly paid obituary references on the demise of Ex-CM Virbhadra Singh, Vidhan Sabha Chief Whip Narinder Bragta, former MLA Mr. Ram Singh, Mohan Lal, and Amar Singh Chaudhary, on the first day of the Monsoon session here Today.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presented a condolence motion to condole the passing away of two present members and three former members, mother of BJP MLA Narendra Thakur along with others during the second wave of Covid pandemic and recent rainfall.

Paying obituary references, Thakur said that period between the last budget and the present monsoon session saw many tragic deaths, and some of the distinguished persons like former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and BJP Chief Whip Narinder Bragta are not with this house, creating a deep void in the state.

Sharing his experience as a member of Assembly and BJP state president with Virbhadra Singh, the chief minister said that he was a towering personality who was a guiding force not only for the Congress party but to all the Opposition MLAs irrespective of party lines.

He further said that Virbhadra Singh left behind a rich political tradition, humility and strong connection with the masses as the six-time chief minister, nine times member of Assembly, four times union minister, and five times Member of Parliament, and his service would be remembered for a long time.

Thakur said that Bragta had always fought for the cause of apple growers and remained at the forefront in his public life to ensure development. He was a pioneer in the introduction of Antihailguns and revolutionise the apple and fruit economy in the state.

Highlighting the major achievement of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri said that he had introduced the landmark ban on the use of wooden boxes for Apple packing which saved the state forest after the nationalisation of forest and imposing a blanket ban on the green felling.

Agnihotri said that Singh was the first chief minister in the country who had set a milestone by bringing legislation to ensure compulsory care and maintenance of old parents by their children. This step was hailed by many state governments and social welfare organisations.

Keeping the public stature of Virbhadra Singh, a statue should be installed at the Ridge ground as demanded by the Congress party earlier, he said.

Taking part in the obituary references, Senior Congress member Asha Kumari said that she started her early childhood by learning from him and made her debut in Politics under his command. She said that many generations from her childhood to that of his son Vikramaditya Singh learned a lot from the deceased politician.

Son of Virbhadra Singh, Vikramaditya expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and the House to provide emotional support for him and his family after the demise of his father for which he would forever be grateful.

He said that Singh worked with all prime ministers, beginning from Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to incumbent Narendra Modi he had great political acumen which made him unique among others.

My father had a natural skill to interact affectionately with the highest public figure to those who are in the last rung on the ladder as he always stood tallest to deal with the prime minister and became a child when he talked with children.

My father has also left remarkable memories during his tenure as the longest-serving chief minister of the state as he knew how to deal with the top bureaucrats to junior most employees with humility and regards. He was known for his strong grip on official noting and was a man of words. Sometimes he even turned down the notes of the senior-most bureaucrat and upheld or approved the noting of junior rank official to appreciate them, Vikramaditya Singh, lone son and political heir of the former chief minister said in the Assembly.

Giving obituary references to Amar Chand Chaudhary member of Assembly from Bhoranj, Kamlesh Kumari said that Chaudhary adopted the profession of Bangalseller after being a member of Assembly from Mewva (now Bhoranj). It was the former chief minister, Dr. Y S Parmar, to introduce pension for legislators after being impressed with his lifestyle to earn a humble livelihood after being a member of the Assembly.

Assembly Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar, BJP member Suresh Bhardwaj, Rakesh Pathinia, Rajeev Bindal, Hans Raj, Congress member Ram Lal Thakur, Sukhvinder Singh Sukh, Dhani Ram Shandil, and CPI( M) Rakesh Singha also paid obituary references to the demise of former members.

The house was adjourned for Tuesday after observing a moment of silence to pay homage to the late members. (UNI)