Hyderabad, Oct 2 (IANS): Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his 151st birth anniversary on Friday.

The two leaders offered floral tributes at Bapu Ghat at Langer Houz here, where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed in the Musi river.

The official programme was held as per the COVID-19 protocols. The Governor and the Chief Minister paid their respects at the Samadhi and later garlanded the statue of the Father of the Nation.

Only a few selected leaders were allowed to accompany the Governor and the Chief Minister. Assembly Speaker P. Srinivas Reddy, Legislative Council Chairman G. Sukehender Reddy, some Ministers and top leaders of the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) were present.

The authorities permitted a limited number of participants in the brief programme, which was over in half-an-hour. Wearing masks and social distancing was mandatory.

Paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the Governor tweeted "Gandhiji's principles of truth, non-violence and service are more relevant today. Our country is becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat by following his path."

Union Minister of State for Home, G. Kishan Reddy offered floral tributes at Bapu Ghat. He later garlanded the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Secunderabad and distributed happiness nutrition kits (poshan kits) among students of a government primary school.

The Assembly Speaker and Council Chairman also paid tributes by placing flowers at the pedestal of the life size statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Assembly premises.