Delhi Assembly adjourns sine die

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, OCT. 1. In an unprecedented gesture, the Delhi Assembly today adjourned sine die in memory of the senior Congress(I) leader, Mr. Madhavrao Scindia, four journalists and two crew members of the plane which crashed near Mainpuri in UP on Sunday. The resolution was moved by the Chief Minister, Ms.Sheila Dikshit, and seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi.

As soon as the House assembled, the Speaker, Chaudhary Prem Singh, read out a condolence message to members. Paying glowing tributes, Chaudhary Prem Singh said Mr. Scindia was an outstanding leader and popular among the youth. He had the distinction of winning all the nine Lok Sabha polls he contested and had left a mark while being the Union Minister in Railways and Civil Aviation.

Recalling his close association with the Hindustan Times Correspondent, Ms. Anju Sharma, the Speaker announced that the Delhi Legislative Studies Bureau had decided to confer the best Assembly reporter award on her posthumously as a mark of respect. He also paid tributes to the other journalists killed.

The Chief Minister said Sunday's plane crash was the worst tragedy in recent times. Recalling her close association with Mr.Scindia, she said he was not only a great leader and able administrator, but also a gentleman among politicians. Terming his death and that of the journalists as most untimely, Ms.Dikshit said Mr. Scindia was not only a political ally but also a great friend and always practiced high standards in life. ``I pray that his soul may rest in peace and the family gather enough courage to face this tragedy,'' she added.

Referring to the death of journalists, Ms. Dikshit said she had the privilege of meeting them on various occasions. She recalled that Ms. Anju Sharma use to cover Delhi Government till a few months ago and had set great standards. Mr. Sanjiv Sinha, she recalled, excelled in investigative reporting and had received a number of promotions. He also had great interest in wildlife. She said she had personally met Mr. Rupinder Singh who had also been associated with Youth Congress(I). ``Our Government will do whatever possible to help the families of those killed. It is difficult to describe this tragedy in words,'' she added.

Prof. Mukhi termed Mr. Scindia as a popular leader who had excelled in various fields and was clear in his heart and mind. He described him as a clean personality who belonged to a royal family which had always lived upto its high traditions and principles. Mr. Shoaib Iqbal (Janata Dal-S) also spoke on the occasion along with Mr. Mukesh Sharma (Cong).

Later, the Chief Minister moved a resolution to adjourn the House. The House accepted the resolution and the Speaker adjourned the Assembly sine die. The House also observed a two- minute silence in their memory. Later, a meeting was held in the press room at Old Secretariat, where journalists covering the Delhi Government paid tributes to their colleagues. A two-minute silence was also observed.

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