The West Bengal Assembly Friday unanimously adopted a resolution to pay tribute to former Speaker Hashim Abdul Halim, the longest-serving Speaker of any Legislative Assembly in the country, who passed away recently.
Speaking on the resolution in the state Assembly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her deep condolence on Halim’s demise and extended sympathies to the bereaved family members, who were present in the House as guests.
“Halim saheb was such a personality whom everybody, cutting across party lines, admired as their friend and advisor,” she said paying her rich tributes to the former Speaker.
The Chief Minister said she had seen him from near when she went to meet him at his residence after his daughter’s death.
“Halim saheb welcomed me dearly and I will cherish that memory,” Mamata Banerjee said.
Describing Halim as a great personality and an able administrator, the CM said he would remain alive with his successes in administering office for such a long tenure.
“Some deaths are touching. Emotions make you think and conscience inspires you to work,” she said in her tribute to the departed leader.
She even suggested the Chair to bring out a special publication in the memory of the former Speaker, which was accepted by Speaker Biman Banerjee.
Recollecting her similar experiences with leaders of several other parties including former chief ministers Ajoy Mukherjee, Siddhartha Shankar Ray and Jyoti Basu, besides CPI stalwart Indrajit Gupta, Mamata Banerjee said relationship knows no barriers and leaders have to do some work going above politics.
The Chief Minister said she had discussed many important issues with these leaders including Jyoti Basu and SS Ray that could not be discussed in public.
“Secrecy needs to be maintained out of mutual respect,” the Chief Minister said.
A two-minute silence was also observed in the House as a mark of respect to the departed leader.