AP assembly adjourns to pay tributes to former Speaker

Hyderabad, Mar 20: The Andhra Pradesh Assembly today mourned the death of Former Speaker G Narayana Rao, who passed away yesterday due to kidney complications.

Speaker K R Suresh Reddy announced adjournment of the House to tomorrow as a mark of respect to the departed leader. Rao had given rulings of far-reaching importance, he added.

Describing Rao as a ''humanist'' Leader of the House, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy recalled how the former Speaker conducted the house in an orderly manner, winning the confidence of both the ruling and opposition party members.

Recalling his association with his party colleague Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu said he had maintained the dignity of the House.

TRS floor leader G Vijayarama Rao said Rao had fought for separate Telangana state along with former Chief Minister M Channa Reddy.

Rural Development Minister D Srinivas pointed out that the former Speaker was an admirer of revolutionary Communist leader Lenin.

CPI Floor leader Ch Venkata Reddy and CPI(M) member M A Gafoor recalled his contribution towards the legal and medical services for the poor, while BJP Floor Leader G Kishan Reddy referred to the late leader's stint in the saffron party.

Vetaran CPI(M) legislator P Ramaiah said Rao provided time to the back-benchers in the Assembly to raise public issues.

TRS member Narayan Rao Patil, who had practised law under the late leader, recalled that the late Speaker had encouraged him to speak in his native Lambada languague.

UNI