Belgaum, December 7: The Karnataka Legislature on Friday condoled the death of Bharata Ratna Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first elected president and a global anti-apartheid icon, who died on Thursday night.
As soon as both Houses met in the morning, Legislative Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa and Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy moved obituary references and paid rich tributes to the departed leader.
The Speaker recalled the contributions of Nobel Prize winner Mandela in the field of democracy, human rights, democracy, peace, and eradication of untouchability.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra hailed Mandela’s contributions in drafting the South Africa’s constitution, implementation of land reforms and anti-poverty schemes for upliftment of the poor people.
Mr Jayachandra said Mandela emerged from the prison after 27 years to lead the South Africa out of decades of apartheid.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly H.D. Kumaraswamy, Leader of the Opposition in Council D.V. Sadananda Gowda said Mandela is widely respected for his role in fighting racism in South Africa.
Former Chief Ministers B.S. Yeddyurappa, Jagadish Shettar, Revenue Minister V. Srinivas Prasad, PWD Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, C.T. Ravi, K.S. Puttanniah, Ashok Kheny, K. Shivamurthy, and YSV Datta spoke and remembered Mandela’s contributions in various fields and ensuring peaceful relations with India.
Mandela’s principles and ideals are still relevant today, members of all political parties said.
Both Houses observed a minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed leader.
