Maharashtra Legislature pays tribute to Mandela

, Dec 9:

Legislature today paid homage to former South African President

on the first day of its Winter Session, which commenced here.

Members of both Houses observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the anti-apartheid icon, who passed away last week.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan moved a resolution of condolence in the Assembly and hailed the South African leader as the second Mahatma Gandhi. The 95-year-old Nobel peace prize winner followed the Gandhian way of struggle against the apartheid and was greatly admired across the world for his decades-long fight, he said.

Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse of BJP supported the resolution and said Mandela followed the principles of non violence and peace in his relentless struggle against a regime based on racial discrimination. Speaker Dilip Walse Patil lauded the elder statesman for his contribution to humanity.

PTI