Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah sought a ‘farewell gift’ in the form of a meaningful and productive session in the Upper House during the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning Monday.
Naidu said this during the meeting of leaders of all the parties attended by the highest ever of 41 leaders and ministers. While nostalgically recalling the functioning of the House during the last 13 full sessions that he presided over, Naidu said that he was making one last request for upholding the dignity and decorum of the House of Elders.
Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and others placed on record their appreciation of the efforts of Naidu for the effective functioning of the House during the last five years. Some leaders particularly referred to Naidu’s concern for orderly conduct and discipline in the House.
Noting that ‘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 to them by Naidu’.
The leaders also recalled the efforts made by Naidu to give more and more opportunities to members by streamlining the conduct of Question Hour, Zero Hour and Special Mentions and debates and his commitment to promoting the use of ‘mother tongue.
As the all-party meeting was turning into a farewell to Naidu, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said that it was a bit premature to do so as Naidu is to preside over one full session and a formal farewell would be held in the House with all the leaders and members sharing their experiences in detail in the House. He further said as mentioned by some other leaders, ‘’all sections of the House would work together to present a befitting farewell to the Chairman Naidu in the form of a productive monsoon session”.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “ After this session your absence will be noticed. At times you were angry with us and irritated us but at the end of you are a good person.
It is difficult to prove to be a good person and you proved to be one such a good person and will be missed. Hope your spirit of personal affection and humour will continue to animate the House’’. He further said that as a token of acknowledgement of your contributions, it is appropriate for the government to create a post of ‘Chairman Emeritus’.
On behalf of the opposition, Kharge listed 16 issues for discussion during the monsoon session. These include; Federalism coming under strain; Agnipath scheme; Rising prices and uncontrolled inflation; Declining labour force participation rate; EPFO interest rates; Declining credibility of organizations like the Election Commission, CBI, CVC; External threats to national security; hate speeches; undemocratic actions against opposition leaders; Increasing crime in Jammu & Kashmir and attacks on Kashmiri pundits and Reservations in the promotion and in private sector.