Bhubaneswar, Oct 04 (UNI) Members cutting across party lines joined the leader of the house and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to mourn the untimely demise of sitting Pipili BJD legislator Pradip Maharathy who died in a private hospital here early today while undergoing treatment.

Soon after the house assembled Mr Patnaik moved an obituary reference to mourning the demise of the great leader.

Mr Patnaik said, “with profound grief, I rise to inform this august House about the sad demise of Late Pradeep Maharathy, Sitting member.”

He said the sad demise of the ex-member of the August house is an irreparable loss to the state and the members of the family.

Mr Patnaik requested the Speaker to convey the sincere condolence of the house to the members of the bereaved family.

He was supported by Leader of Opposition Pradipta Kumar Nayak and Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra.

Cutting across party lines several members including Speaker S N Patro mourned the sad demise of the leader expressed their sympathies to the bereaved family members and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.

The house also observed one-minute silence as a mark of respect for the departed soul.

After the house paid homage to the departed leader Speaker S N Patro adjourned the house for the day.

The house will meet tomorrow at 1030 hours.

UNI BD RN