M P Assembly condoles Mahesh Yogi's death

Bhopal, Feb 26 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly today paid glowing tributes to Transcendental Meditation Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and 15 others and observed two minutes silence and adjourned the sitting for the day as a mark of respect to them.

As the house assembled for the day, Speaker Ishwardas Rohani read out the obituary reference and paid tributes to Mahesh Yogi and others, who died during the inter-session period.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi recalled Mahesh Yogi's valuable contribution in popularising transcendental meditation across the world earning name and fame for Madhya Pradesh.

They also expressed shock over the recent death of three sitting members- Education Minister Laxman Singh Gaud, Amar Singh Kothar and Kunwar Lavkesh Singh.

Ms Jamuna Devi sought to investigate into Mr Gaud's death in a road accident near Indore and wanted to know why the follow-guard vehicle was withdrawn on the fateful day.

Dr Sunilam (Samajwadi Party), NCP's Hamid Kazi and Darbu Singh Uike of Gondwana Gantantra Party also joined in paying tributes to the departed leaders.

The Assembly also mourned the death of former Union Minister Pratap Chandra Chander and noted social worker Muralidhar Devidas Amte alias Baba Amte.

Tributes were also paid to former Rajya Sabha member Sayeeda Khatun and former members Rajendra Dharkar, Gautam Sharma, Sujan Singh Patel, Ramdev Singh Judeo, Shiv Prasad Chanpuria, Umarao Singh Phatla, Babulal Jain, Chandmal Virdichand and Blassius Ekka.

After observing two minutes silence to pay respects to the departed, the Speaker announced adjournment of the sitting till tomorrow.

The annual budget of 2008-09 will be presented tomorrow.

UNI SP 1137