The State Assembly on Monday paid rich tribute to former proteam Speaker and former Minister Habibullah Khan, who died on February 13. The House suspended all the businesses in the morning session after observing one minute silence as mark of respect for the departed soul.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik bringing a resolution in the House paid tribute to Khan who had set an all- time record of winning Assembly elections for nine consecutive times to the Assembly from Nabarangpur Assembly seat from 1971 to 2004. Khan had started his political career from grassroots level and reached to the rank of a Cabinet Minister. Stating that Khan’s death is a great loss for the State, the Chief Minister proposed that the House should convey its condolence to the bereaved family members of Khan.
leader of Opposition Narasngha Mishra said the demise of Khan is a great loss to the State and to the people and also to the Congress party. He expressed his deep grief over Khan’s death. BJP legislature Party leader Basant Panda said Khan started his career as a Ward Member to become Chairman of Nabarangpur Panchayat Samiti. Then he served the State as a Minister of State for Agriculture, Cooperation, Excise, Rural Development and as a Cabinet Minister for Food and Civil Supply and Panchayati Raj Departments.
CPM Member laxman Munda too expressed his sorrow on the demise of Khan. Speaker Pradip Amat also expressed his condolence for Khan and later adjourned the House till 5 pm.