Gujarat Assembly pays homage to Vajpayee

The Gujarat Assembly paid homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and nine former state legislators on the first day of monsoon session Tuesday.

After paying homage to the deceased leaders, the House was adjourned for the day.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tabled a motion to pay homage to Vajpayee, two former state ministers and seven former MLAs who have died since the Budget session in March.

The chief minister called Vajpayee a "nation-builder".

"Atal-ji dedicated his life to the country. His thoughts will continue to inspire us for the rest of our lives," he said.

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani said Vajpayee was "all-inclusive" leader who was acceptable to all parties.

Speaker Rajendra Trivedi said the country was Vajpayee's first love.

"He lived for the country, he was an ardent patriot. We can see that from his poems," he said.

Homage was also paid to former Gujarat ministers Amarsinh Vaghela and Haribhai Patel and former MLAs Shankardas Makwana, Narsinh Padhiyar, Mohammed Ismail Patel, Manibhai Chaudhary, Iqubal Patel, Gulsinh Rathwa and Arvindsinh Rathod.

Six bills will be taken up for discussion and approval Wednesday in two sessions.