New Delhi, June 16 (IANS) Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Tuesday paid tributes to the national capital’s first Chief Minister Chaudhary Brahm Prakash, hailing his vision and leadership that shaped the city’s democratic and developmental journey.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion of 108th birth anniversary of the former Chief Minister at the Delhi Assembly premises, Gupta said, “The story of modern Delhi cannot be written without acknowledging the extraordinary contribution of Chaudhary Brahm Prakash.”

He added that Chaudhary Brahm Prakash dedicated himself to India’s freedom movement at a very young age and joined the struggle against British rule without any aspiration for political office or personal gain.

He noted that Chaudhary Brahm Prakash entered public life solely to contribute to the nation’s freedom, demonstrating extraordinary courage during a period when confronting colonial rule was far from an ordinary undertaking.

Highlighting his contributions after Independence, the Speaker said that Chaudhary Brahm Prakash continued to live a simple and principled life while working tirelessly for the development of Delhi, the welfare of farmers, and the resolution of national issues.

He emphasised that even while occupying positions of power, Chaudhary Brahm Prakash never abandoned the path of struggle and remained steadfast in pursuing the ideals for which he had fought during the freedom movement.

Assembly Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, BJP MLAs Om Prakash Sharma, Rajkumar Bhatia, family members and relatives of Chaudhary Brahm Prakash were present at the event.

The Speaker also said that courage and conviction were defining features of Chaudhary Brahm Prakash’s personality.

Referring to his differences with the policies of the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Speaker Gupta said that despite Nehru’s towering stature in national politics, Chaudhary Brahm Prakash never hesitated to voice his concerns whenever he believed the interests of Delhi and its people required it.

His (Chaudhary Brahm Prakash’s) actions reflected a deep sense of responsibility toward the citizens he represented, the Speaker added.

Referring to the statue of Chaudhary Brahm Prakash installed in the Delhi Assembly complex, Speaker Gupta noted that the honour reflected the immense respect and recognition he earned through his lifetime of service.

He said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was then the Leader of the Opposition, personally visited the Delhi Assembly premises to pay floral tributes and inaugurate the statue in memory of the distinguished leader Chaudhary Brahm Prakash.

–IANS

rch/khz