The Chhattisgarh Assembly on Thursday was adjourned for the day after paying tributes to departed leaders – Deputy Speaker Manoj Singh Mandavi and former BJP MLA Deepak Patel -- on day one of the two-day special session.
Speaker Dr Charan Das Mahant made the obituary reference about Mandavi (Bhanupratappur) and Patel (Manendragarh).
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel described Mandavi as a friend and young colleague who he had lost. He had a huge potential but fate cut short his life at a young age.
Mandavi was a MLA in both undivided Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. He held several posts in House committees and as a Minister in the government after the formation of Chhattisgarh, Baghel said.
The Chief Minister said Mandavi started his political career as a student leader. He kept a keen interest in sports. He was also a religious person and built a temple in his village.
On Deepak Patel, Baghel said he was soft-spoken and stood for the people and their needs. He had health problems and died at a young age.
Leader of Opposition Narayan Chandel said Mandavi himself had doubts about running the House but he proved everyone wrong by being practical and a true politician.
Patel won the best MLA award as he had kept a tab on all the issues of the people. It was due to his efforts that today Chirmiri has a water supply system.
Cabinet ministers T.S. Singh Deo, Amarjeet Bhagat and Kawasi Lakhma, former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, Ajay Chandrakar (BJP), Keshav Chandra (BSP) and Mohan Markam (Congress) also paid tributes to the departed souls.
The Speaker, after observing two minutes silence, adjourned the House for the day.