Assembly pays tributes to Nelson Mandela

Hyderabad, Dec 12 : The Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly on Thursday paid rich tributes to Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy described Nelson Mandela’s personality as an inspiration for all. He said that the Mandela’s fight against apartheid was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and he fought relentless for the rights of the black. He described Mandela’s death as a loss for every man who believes in freedom and equality.

Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu said that Mandela has proved that anything could be achieved through non-violence. Telangana Rashtra Samithi leader K Tarakarama Rao recalled the famous words of Mandela that he was ready to die for a society free from apartheid and inequality. He said the black leader spent 27 years in jail to end apartheid in the country.

YSR Congress party leader YS Vijay Lakshmi, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen legislator Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri, Communist Party of India leader G Mallesh, Bharatiya Janata Party floor leader E Lakshminarayana, Communist Party of India Marxist’s J Ranga Reddy and Lok Satta’s Dr Jayprakash Narayan paid their tributes to Nelson Mandela.

The house observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the Bharat Ratna awardee after Speaker Nadendla Manohar read out the resolution expressing “deep sense of sorrow and sympathy to the members of bereaved family.”

Later, the House also paid tributes 29 former Members of Legislative Assembly who passed away recently. They include M Narayana Rao, K Yerran Naidu, Sarojni Pulla Reddy, C Abdul Rasoo, Sreepathi Rajeshwar, K Vidhyadhar Rao, Dr PV Ranga Rao, Basheeruddin Babu Khan, Baddhu Chowhan and Dr Vizarath Rasool Khan. Two minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to the former MLAs.

The Speaker then adjourned the proceedings of the House till Friday.

The State Legislative Council also paid tributes to Nelson Mandela. INN