Madhya Pradesh assembly pays tribute to Pranab Mukherjee

The first virtual Madhya Pradesh assembly session was held today as the members paid tributes to 21 prominent personalities on their demise. The effective strength of the 230-member House has been reduced to 202 now due to deaths of three MLAs and resignation by 25 others earlier.

Bhopal: In the first of its kind, virtual one-day session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly was held today and the assembly members paid tributes to former President Pranab Mukherjee, former Governor Lalji Tandon and other leaders who died recently.

Protem Speaker Rameshwar Sharma mentioned about the demise of 21 prominent personalities, including Mukherjee, Tandon, Chhattisgarh's former chief minister Ajit Jogi and former Union minister Hansraj Bharadwaj.

The speaker also mentioned about martyrs of the Galwan Valley clash and Baramulla terrorist attack, besides those who died due to COVID-19 in the state and the country.

The Assembly members observed a two-minute silence following which the Speaker adjourned the House for five minutes as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Reportedly, a total of 145 members attended the session online. Protem Speaker Rameshwar Sharma said that arrangements had been made in all districts of Madhya Pradesh for legislators who wanted to attend Monday's one-day session of the Legislative Assembly virtually.

Sharma on Sunday said MLAs have been given an option to attend legislative session virtually in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier on Sunday, Sharma, Congress chief whip Govind Singh and officials of the Assembly secretariat took stock of the arrangements at the Vidhan Sabha premises.

Sharma directed officials to ensure that COVID-19 protocol was followed. About 40 MLAs had tested positive for coronavirus, Sharma had said.

The effective strength of the 230-member House has been reduced to 202 now due to deaths of three MLAs and resignation by 25 others earlier.

Inputs from agency