Homages paid to APJ, Kista Reddy

KCR said Kalam’s death was a great loss to the nation and to the defence sector.

Hyderabad: The Telangana legislature on Wednesday paid homage to former president of India A P J Abdul Kalam and sitting Congress MLA P Kishta Reddy who passed away recently.

Members from all parties in both the Houses of the State legislature recalled the great services rendered by Kalam to the country both as a scientist and as the President.

On the first day of the monsoon session, both the Houses paid tributes to the former President. A minute’s silence was also observed as a mark of respect.

Moving a condolence resolution in the Assembly, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao said Kalam’s death was a great loss to the nation and to the defence sector. He noted that despite coming from a poor family, Kalam, with his sheer hard work and determination, achieved great heights and went on to occupy the highest constitutional post.

The Chief Minister said Kalam left indelible mark through his contributions in whatever position he served the nation.Recalling the late leader’s close association with Hyderabad, Rao said the State government had already requested the Central government to name Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) in the city after Kalam.

Leader of Opposition K Jana Reddy said he fully backed the government’s proposal to name DRDL after Kalam in recognition of his outstanding services. The senior Congress leader said Kalam brought glory to the nation by developing the missile programme.

E Dayakar Rao of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), K Laxman of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Ahmed Pasha Khadri of Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and members of other parties also paid tributes to Kalam.

Moving a separate condolence motion on the demise of sitting Congress MLA from Narayankhed, P Kishta Reddy, the Chief Minister expressed sorrow over the demise of Reddy who was the Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Congress members, who spoke on the motion, proposed that a family member of Reddy be elected without contest in the by-poll to be held for the constituency.