Chennai: In a special gesture, both houses of Parliament on Tuesday adjourned for the day as presidium chairmen of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha led the members in paying rich tributes to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who passed away here on Monday night.
Members in both Houses of Parliament stood in silence for two minutes as a mark of respect to the departed soul. Only on special occasions, Parliament is adjourned to mourn the death of a Chief Minister.
Rajya Sabha chairman and vice president Hamid Ansari, while reading the condolence message, paid rich tributes to the former member of the House. The departed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister served as a member of the Upper House from 1984 to 1989.
“In the passing away of Jayalalithaa, the country has lost a prominent leader, distinguished Parliamentarian and an able administrator. Jayalalithaa was a charismatic personality and her contribution to economic development and deprived sections of the society would long be cherished. She also contributed immensely to Tamil, Telugu and Kannada film industries,” Mr Ansari said.
In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the country has lost a highly popular, courageous and eminent public persona.
“Selvi Jayalalithaa was a true leader of the masses and her followers fondly called her ‘Amma’, meaning mother, and ‘Puratchi Thalaivi’ meaning a revolutionary leader,” Mahajan said as she adjourned the House for the day.
