Mortal remains of Dr Budhichandra brought home
Last rites performed with State honour
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2010: The mortal remains of Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr Sapam Budhichandra was bought to Imphal by an Indian Airlines flight at around 1.30 pm today and the last rites were performed at his native Konthoujam along with State honour.

Dr Budhichandra breathed his last at around 3.40 am yesterday at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he had been undergoing treatment for a long time.

Following the death of Dr Budhichandra, Assembly Secretariat yesterday issued a notification declaring that the post of the Assembly Speaker is vacant.

In the intervening period, before new Speaker is elected, Deputy Speaker Th Lokeshore would take over the charge of Speaker and the Assembly Secretariat has issued a bulletin in this regard.

The mortal remains of Dr Budhichandra at Cong Bhawan

Born to Sapam Mani and late Sapam Ongbi Angoubi Devi on March 1, 1949 at Konthoujam Awang Leikai in Imphal East, Dr Budhichandra was elected to the 8th Manipur State Legislative Assembly from the 18-Konthoujam Assembly Constituency for the first time on an Indian National Congress ticket (INC) in the by-election held in 2004 .

He was again elected to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly on an INC ticket and went on to become not only the Speaker of the House but also the Chairman of the Manipur Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS.

Prior to entering politics, Dr Budhichandra was the head of Radiology Department of JN Hospital.

After taking voluntary retirement from service in January, 1999, he began his political career and went on to become executive member of Doctors' Cell of MPCC, member of Election Committee, executive member of PCC, general secretary and treasurer of SPF Political Forum.

When the mortal remains of Dr Budhichandra was brought to Tulihal Airport at Imphal, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, his Council of Ministers, MLAs, MPCC president Gaikhangam and other party workers were present.

Later, the coffin carrying the mortal remains was taken to the Speaker's bungalow where his wellwishers paid their last respect as well as to the Congress Bhavan where Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, party president Gaikhangam and other party workers offered floral tributes.

Before taking the mortal remains to his native place for performing the last rites, the coffin was also taken to the Assembly where the staff paid their last respect.

As mark of mourning, holiday was declared in all the educational institutions under the Government of Manipur and Indian tri-colour flag was hoisted at half mast.

Expressing his condolence, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has described the death of Dr Budhichandra as loss of an important political leader not only for the Congress party but also for the State.

Opposition leader and president of NCP State unit Radhabinod Koijam said that death of Dr Budhichandra, who diligently discharged his duty as the Speaker of an Assembly and understand the true spirit of Parliament form of Government is a great loss not only for the Assembly but also for the people of Manipur.

Opposition MLA O Joy has stated that the void left behind by the death of a promising leader like Dr Budhichandra would not be able to be filled for long time to come.

Members of Manipur Legislative Forum on HIV/AIDS, office bearers, OBC Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, United NGOs Mission, etc have also condoled the death of Dr Budhichandra.

BJP Manipur Pradesh, Manipur People's Party, Indian Medical Association (Manipur State Branch), Lamsang Block Congress Committee (I) and ex-MLA Meinam Bhorot Singh have also conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family members.

In a Cabinet meeting held today, all the Cabinet members have also expressed their deep sorow over the untimely demise of Speaker Dr Budhichandra , who passed away yesterday.

The Cabinet acknowledge that during his tenure as the Speaker of Manipur State Legislative Assembly Dr Budhichandra set high stsndards and exemplary precedents of maintaining the dignity of the House.