Maharashtra Legislative Council adjourned after paying tributes to APJ Abdul Kalam, RS Gavai

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Legislative Council today paid glowing tributes to former President APJ Abdul Kalam and former Bihar and Kerala Governor RS Gavai.
Kalam died in Shillong yesterday while delivering a lecture and Gavai, the veteran Dalit leader, breathed his last in Nagpur last Saturday after prolonged illness.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis moved the condolence motion in the House while describing Kalam as a man who strived all his life to make India a superpower.

Listing out the achievements of Kalam, Fadnavis said the former showed India the path it should tread to become a superpower and that Kalam was a person from whom new generation will take guidance for years to come.

"We can pay him a real tribute by making India a developed country using the youths," he said.

Expressing his condolence over Gavai's death, the CM said the state has lost a leader who worked hard for the cause of Dalits and the backward class.

Fadnavis said Gavai maintained personal as well as political relations with him.

In his speech, the Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde said every family in the country has been saddened by Kalam's death.

"We worship Lord Ram and Lord Krishna. We have only heard and read about people like Dr Ambedkar, Mahatma Phule and Shivaji Maharaj. All the good qualities of all of these were present in Abdul Kalam saheb whom we are fortunate to have seen. You will not find a fault in him even if you search for it through a microscope," Munde said, adding, every sector in the country will be at a loss by Kalam's death.

Expressing grief over Gavai's death, he said the veteran Dalit leader has made Maharashtra proud in his various roles at the national level.

Shiv Sena Group leader Diwakar Raote said after Jawaharlal Nehru, fondly called as Chacha Nehru, Kalam will be remembered as 'Kalam uncle' by children for decades to come.

The Council was adjourned for the day after all group leaders expressed their condolence.