Politics

Rajya Sabha MPs bid farewell to Venkaiah Naidu; Kharge, Derek recall fond memories

August 8, 2022
Sezarr

Members of Parliament across party lines on Monday bid farewell to outgoing Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu in the Upper House. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien recalled Naidu’s contribution and their memories with him.

Kharge thanked Naidu for assuming the responsibility of the Vice President under difficulty and pressure. “We can be people of 2 different ideologies. I may have some complaints with you but this is not the time to talk about them. You played your part even under so much difficulty and pressure – I thank you for that.

Appreciating Naidu, the Leader of the Opposition expressed hope that the government would complete the unfinished work being left by him. “You had advocated a national policy for Upper Houses in all major states. You also talked about consensus on the Women’s Reservation Bill and other issues. I am sure the government will complete what you are leaving unfinished.

Naidu’s term as Vice President ends on August 10. He will be followed by Jagdeep Dhankhar, who won the vice-presidential election last week by defeating Congress veteran and opposition candidate Margaret Alva.

O’Brien, on the other hand, congratulated Naidu for the productivity numbers and the number of bills passed in the Rajya Sabha.

“You are there. But there is another side to this argument. Today as you are leaving, sir, and you have 20 more years in public life, there is another ideology that Parliament has become a deeply dark chamber. Bills needs to be probed further. These are issues which I am sure you will address. Not an autobiography or an autobiography, you will say your mann ki baat,” he said.

“Of all the wonderful things we remember the food you served us, and equal credit should go to Ms. Naidu. It was absolutely wonderful. Since I eat mostly non-vegetarian food, it was even better.”

In his farewell speech, Naidu said the Upper House has “more” responsibility and appealed to MPs to maintain decency, dignity and decorum so that the image and prestige of the House is maintained. The whole world is watching India; India going on, he said.

He thanked the Members of Parliament for their love and affection. “We are not enemies, we are rivals. We should work hard to beat others in the competition but should not let others down. I wish the parliament works well… I am grateful with your love and affection And am amazed.”

Naidu also remembered the day when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Told him that he was being chosen to be the Vice President of India. “The day the PM told me that I was being chosen to be the Vice President of India, I was crying, I didn’t ask for it. The party had given the mandate, I was compelled to resign from the party. Tears came because I had to leave the party.

“I tried my best to maintain the House. I tried to accommodate and give opportunity to all sides – South, North, East, West, North-East. Time has been given to each of you,” Naidu he said.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his farewell speech for Naidu, said the “one-liners” of the outgoing VP are “wit-liners” and “win-liners”.

“Your one-liners are wit-liners. They are win-liners too. That means nothing more needs to be said after those lines. Your every word is heard, liked and revered and ever more is also not countered,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that the country will continue to reap the benefits of Naidu’s experience.

“You have said many times ‘I am retired from politics but not tired of public life’. Therefore, your responsibility to lead this House may be over now, but the workers of the country and public life – like me – have to Your experiences will continue to benefit,” he said.

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