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Parliament on Monday paid homage to Lok Sabha speaker G M C Balayogi, who died in a helicopter crash in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.
Both Houses of Parliament have now been adjourned till March 7.
Army personnel, acting as pall bearers, brought the flower-bedecked coffin on a military carriage to Parliament House as 21 guns boomed to salute the departed soul.
Balayogi's body was later flown back to Andhra Pradesh for a state funeral at his home town of Yedurlanka.
In the Lok Sabha, Deputy Speaker P M Sayeed described Balayogi as a self-effacing and humble person who ensured equality of treatment to all parties while unflinchingly upholding the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Krishan Kant said Balayogi had endeared himself to one and all while showing firmness when required.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi and top political leaders joined members of both Houses in observing two minutes' silence as homage to the departed leader.
PTI
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