Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday paid rich tributes to former lawmakers for their contributions in the political and public life of the state, besides their respective fields and specialties.
Speaking on obituary references in the lower house on first day of the budget session here, the Chief Minister described the former legislators as “men of impeccable record and honesty who, all along their lives, worked tirelessly for the welfare of masses.” She said that these former lawmakers have “left us with many lessons to follow for selfless service to the masses”, and suggested to the House to “think of ways and means to be explored to help wards and kin of former legislators in their rehabilitation and sustenance.”
The Chief Minister described late ML Fotedar as a “very intelligent politician who rose through to a very high position of a union minister by dint of his hardwork.” She said that Fotedar worked closely with former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and would long be remembered by the people for his work for the “upliftment” of the masses.
Mehbooba described former ministers, late Sheikh Muhammad Maqbool and Sofi Mohi-ud-Din, as “very honest politicians and leaders whose lives are examples to emulate and who played a key role in strengthening democratic traditions in the state.”
She also paid tributes to former deputy speaker Moulvi Abdur Rashid who, she said, worked “tirelessly for the people of far-flung areas of Banihal constituency till his last days.”
The Chief Minister also paid rich tributes to former MP Shabir Salaria, describing him as an “ace lawyer and political activist whose contribution to legal profession and parliamentary discussions would long be remembered.”
Mehbooba also described late OP Saraf as a leading voice in the journalistic fraternity and public life of the state. She also said late Dr Syed Naseer Ahmad Shah made an excellent contribution in the extension of medical services in the state which people would remember for long.
She also paid rich tributes to late SK Abrol and late Kaushak Bakula.