SHILLONG, Sept 21 - Meghalaya Assembly today paid glowing tributes to former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and others with members lauding Vajpayee for bringing in developmental projects for the region.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in his tribute to late Vajpayee on the first day of the Autumn session of the Assembly, said, the former Prime Minister had �special love and connection� for the people of North East.
Speaking during the obituary references, Sangma said, late Vajpayee took keen interest for the welfare of the people in NE. This interest for the region reflected in the various schemes and programmes that the former Prime Minister sanctioned for its development, he said.
Highlighting some of the projects and programmes initiated by the former PM, like creation of DoNER Ministry, PMGSY, Sangma said, his demise is a great loss for the Nation.
On former Governor, MM Jacob, Sangma said, the longest serving Governor of the State made �tremendous contributions for the State and its people.�
The Chief Minister also condoled the death of former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chaterjee and said, the former Communist leader efficiently handled the House and carried together all the members of the House.
Speaker Donkupar Roy paying tributes to the leaders who passed away during the past six months, said, all made tremendous contributions to the country.
Roy said late Vajpayee was a Parliamentarian for four decades and in recognition of his contributions to Indian politics, he was awarded the country�s highest Civilian award, Bharat Ratna in 2015.
Leader of Opposition from Congress, Mukul Sangma said, late Vajpayee was one of the most talked about Parliamentarians of his time and this has been acknowledged by the Parliament.
Stating that late Vajpayee was one of the first Prime Ministers of the country to run successfully a coalition Government for a full five-year term, Sangma said, keeping together �comrades from diverse backgrounds� speaks volumes about his leadership skills.
Sangma said late Jacob was one of the Governors who could easily blend with the people. Even after his retirement, late Jacob kept himself informed about the welfare of the State and its people.
He also condoled the death of late Chatterjee and said, during his political career he demonstrated his fight against communal forces and his demise would be particularly missed now that the Nation is facing challenges from communal forces.
Health Minister and BJP legislator, AL Hek, paying tribute to late Vajpayee said the former Prime Minister was a great statesman, orator and poet.
Dubbing late Vajpayee as the �best PM the country ever had�, Hek said, it was due to the efforts of late Vajpayee that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of DoNER for NE was created.
The House also mourned the demise of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Karunanidhi, Ashok Mitra, former West Bengal Finance Minister and others. The House also observed a two-minute silence in remembrance of the departed souls.
