CM leads political leaders in paying tributes to Vajpayee

Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy led political leaders in the union territory today in paying floral tributes to a portrait of former Prime Minister, the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the assembly.

Assembly Speaker V Vaithilingam, Ministers, legislators of the ruling Congress, DMK and AIADMK were among those who paid floral tributes.

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi and leader of the opposition in the assembly N Rangasamy also condoled the death of the veteran leader.

Shops and establishments remained closed in most areas in and around the Union Territory as a mark of respect to the departed leader.

A PTI report from Coimbatore said that most shops, particularly in the busy market areas in the district, were also shut following the BJP leader's death.

Vehicular traffic was also less on the main roads across the city, while most shops in nearby Tirupur also downed their shutters, police said.

Vajpayee passed away in New Delhi yesterday after a prolonged illness.