Assembly pays tributes to Nelson Mandela

The Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly on Thursday paid tributes to late 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 that he fought relentlessly 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 added that the black leader spent 27 years in jail to end apartheid in the country.

YSR Congress party leader Y S 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 also paid their tributes to Nelson Mandela.

The house observed a 2-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 members of the bereaved family."

Later, the House also paid tributes to 29 former Members of Legislative Assembly who passed away recently.

They include M Narayana Rao, K Yerran Naidu, Sarojni Pulla Reddy, C Abdul Rasool, Sreepathi Rajeshwar, K Vidhyadhar Rao, Dr. P V Ranga Rao, Basheeruddin Babu Khan, Baddhu Chowhan and Dr. Vizarath Rasool Khan.

2 minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to the former MLAs too.

The Speaker then adjourned the proceedings of the House till Friday. (INN)