File photo: Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Tamil Nadu Assembly today condoled the demise of former President APJ Abdul Kalam and several others who passed away during the inter-session period.
The House was adjourned for the day after it adopted resolutions also condoling the death of legendary music composer MS Viswanathan, former minister Senthur Pandian and ten former MLAs.
As the House assembled for the opening day of the nearly month-long session, Speaker P Dhanapal lauded Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for her "great victory" in the RK Nagar constituency by-election amid loud thumping of desks by treasury benches.
"This victory is unprecedented by Mother Tamil land...this victory registered that there is no one equal to Amma (as Ms Jayalalithaa is called by her supporters)," the Speaker said welcoming the AIADMK chief back to the House.
Praying the Almighty for her long life with health, wealth and reputation, he also lauded Ms Jayalalithaa in poetic verses "for dauntlessly removing obstacles and for upholding justice courageously."
After being sworn in as Chief Minister for the fifth time in May this year following the Karnataka High Court setting aside her conviction in the wealth case, Ms Jayalalithaa attended the House for the first time today.
Three separate resolutions were later adopted hailing the contributions of Mr Kalam, Mr MS Viswanathan and Mr Senthur Pandian and members stood in silence as a mark of respect.
Obituary references were also made condoling the deaths of ten former MLAs. Later, the House was adjourned for the day as a mark of respect.
From tomorrow onwards the demand for grants to government departments would be taken up.
The current Assembly sitting will be held till September 29. The previous one was between March 25 and April 1 when Mr O Panneerselvam was Chief Minister, consequent to Ms Jayalalithaa's
then disqualification in view of her conviction in the wealth case by a lower court in Bengaluru.