The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday bade farewell to many retiring MPs with Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu making an emotional appeal for smooth functioning of the House. There have been disruptions since the second leg of budget session commenced on March 5. Making an observation that it was painful for him to see such acrimonious scenes with members rushing into the well to register their protest, Naidu said he was reminded of the disruptions while attending investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. Gallant soldiers sacrificed their lives for the country and while watching their families receiving the awards, he was reminded of the events in the house, the Chairman said in a choked voice.
lauding the role of the retiring members, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said some of them could have made a lasting contribution in the last leg of their term by passing some landmark bills like triple talaq bill. In his characteristic manner, Naidu said while the members retired but they were not “tired” and will continue to serve the country. Urging the members to maintain decorum in the house, he said in democracy “we choose to disagree.” However, parliament of late had become a theater of protest, Naidu remarked and appealed to the members to make a new beginning.
Observing that the house just had 11 per cent representation of women despite it passing the women reservation bill in 2010, Naidu hoped the political parties will send more women members to the Rajya Sabha. Retiring member DP Tripathi (NCP) said his party chose to send a woman member for the next term adding the NCP had only one vacancy. The entire house lauded this gesture.
Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, who also retired, said earlier the members used to register their protest by staging a walk out. “Now they are walking into the well” and the government escapes scrutiny of their working, he said adding earlier the Opposition used to grill ministers about their ministries. Former Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan also retired after more than 25 years in parliament.
Expressing concern over the degeneration of parliamentary norms and level of debates, Kurien, however, said he was not blaming anyone and asked the government to be more responsive and accommodating to the Opposition.
In fact, it was common refrain aired by many retiring members. leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said parliament has upheld principles of democracy in apparent reference to the disruptions and said the Opposition has to raise it voice for the cause of dalits, minorities, women and jobless. He said the opposition wanted to raise issues like Cauvery management board, special status for Andhra Pradesh and Punjab National Bank scam.
At least 60 members will retire next week including Naresh Agrawal who recently joined BJP after leaving Samajwadi Party. In his farewell speech, he apologised for his remarks in an apparent reference to some remarks made against Jaya Bachchan when he quit SP.
leaders of all parties lauded the role played by the retiring MPs. Three nominated members including Sachin Tendulkar, Rekha and Anu Agha also retired. While Tendulkar and Rekha were not present, Agha thanked the house for her stint.