Himachal assembly pays tributes to Jayalalithaa

The Himachal Pradesh assembly, on the first day of its Winter Session on Monday, paid rich tributes to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who died on December 5 following a prolonged illness.

The assembly also paid tributes to six-time sitting BJP legislator and former state education minister I.D. Dhiman, who died last month, before being adjourned for the day.

"Jayalalithaa was a versatile leader who displayed resolve through administration and public welfare schemes," said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

Starting her career as a leading actor, she became chief minister for five times because of her popularity and "this showed her popularity among the masses, particularly the poor", said the octogenarian Chief Minister.

Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal also paid tributes to her.

The five-day session is likely to be stormy as the opposition BJP is set to corner the ruling Congress over corruption charges against the Chief Minister and delay in execution of central projects.

--IANS

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