New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday laid out ‘cooperation in running the House smoothly’ as the farewell gift he wanted from all MPs.
With 41 leaders and ministers in attendance at the all-party meeting convened by Naidu, leaders assured him of their support. On a lighter note, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh proposed that a special post of “Chairman Emeritus” be created for Naidu, in view of his persistent efforts to improve the functioning of the House.
Leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge joined others in appreciating Naidu. “The disciplinary actions taken, including suspension of some members, were all part and parcel of the functioning of the House, but the leaders and members would remember for long the personal affection shown by Naidu,” he said.
Recalling the functioning of the House during the 13 full sessions he presided over, Naidu said he was making one last request to uphold the dignity and decorum of the ‘House of Elders’.
With the Rajya Sabha all party meet transforming into a farewell gathering, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said on a lighter note that a formal farewell was premature as Naidu would preside over the monsoon session.
“All sections of the House would work together to present a befitting farewell to Chairman Shri Naidu in the form of a productive monsoon session,” he said. Naidu’s term as Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha ends on August 10.
Kharge also sought discussions on federalism under strain, Agnipath, rising prices, EPFO interest rates, the declining credibility of bodies like the EC, CBI, CVC, external threats to national security and hate speeches.
