CHANDIGARH: The monsoon session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha began on Thursday with obituary references to departed personalities and tributes were also paid to the victims of Naina Devi shrine stampede.

The house mourned the demise of former Punjab Vidhan Sabha speaker Kewal Krishan, former CPM general secretary and Polit Bureau member Harkishan Singh Surjit and Ishmeet Singh beside others.

Captain Amarinder Singh former Chief Minister attended the house for the first time after being elected in  February 2007 except for a day when he came to take oath.

Leader of opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Industry Minister Manoranjan Kalia and Independent MLA Charanjit Singh Channi paid tributes to the departed leaders and also expressed concern over floods in Punjab. 

Later, talking to media Captain Amarinder Singh said that now when Sukhbiur Singh Badal has got baptised, his wife shall also get baptised. He said that he was always advised him to become complete Sikh.