Dehradun, July 9 (UNI) Members of Uttarakhand Assembly today paid tribute to former prime minister Chandrashekhar by observing two minutes of silence in the House.

Paying tribute to late Chandrashekhar, Chief Minister Maj Gen (Retd) Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri said the ''Young Turk'' had lived a life of struggle. He was a person full of energy and vigour who always fought against the system for the welfare of the people. He was an able parliamentarian who always raised issues boldly and straightforwardly which was never easy to sideline.

It was during emergency that Chandrashekhar left Congress and formed the Janata Party. Despite being the leader of a small party, he maintained the dignity of Prime Ministerial post without bowing under pressure.

Mr Khanduri called him a straightforward orator and said with his demise, the country had lost one of its great leaders.

Leader of the Opposition Harak Singh Rawat said Chandrashkar became the Prime Minister when the country politic was in an upheaval which was a great achievement for the leader of a small party. Youth and formers of his birthplace Ballia respected him and drew inspiration from him. He was an ardent social worker who lost Lok Sabha elections only once and won it several times.

Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mohammad Sahzad and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal leader Divakar Bhatt termed his death as a great loss to the society.

Assembly Speaker Harbans Kapoor said Chandrashehar was an able Parliamentarian who won the award for Best Parliamentarian and many others.

Mr Kapoor said his Padyatra from Kanyakumari revealed his dedication towards the people. Terming him as a learned and simple person, he said Chandrashekhar was a socialist by his thoughts who would always be remembered by the people of the country.

UNI