Shukla cremated with full state honours

Bilaspur, Aug 21 (UNI) The mortal remains of senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Rajendra Prasad Shukla, who passed away here yesterday after protracted illness, were consigned to flames here today with full state honours.

The last rites were performed at Devkinandan Dikshit crematorium by his elder son Anil Shukla.

Political leaders, prominent citizens and family members paid their last respects to the departed leader.

On behalf of the state government, Law Minister Brijmohan Agrawal placed a wreath on the body.

Chhattisgarh Congress Committee president Charandas Mahant and Leader of Opposition in state assembly Mahendra Karma and other Congress and BJP workers paid their homage to Shukla.

Earlier, the body was brought to the Congress office from where it was taken to the crematorium.

After last rites were performed, people observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to the departed soul.

On hearing the news of Shukla's demise, Chief Minister Raman Singh, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Prem Prakash Pandey, his deputy Badridhar Deewan and Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam cancelled all their meeting and reached the hospital.

Dr Singh described Shukla's demise as an irreparable loss.

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