The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday bid farewell to five of its retiring members from Tamil Nadu after completion of their terms, with one retiring member V Maitreyan turning emotional during his farewell speech. Apart from him the other four included D Raja(CPI), KR Arjunan, R Lakshmanan and T Rathinavel, all from the AIADMK.
The retiring members said they will miss the House and thanked their colleagues and the chairman, while other members said the House will remember them for their contributions in different ways and hoped they return to the House again.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said the retiring members have contributed significantly to deliberations of this House and the Parliamentary Committees. Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad recalled the contributions of each of them from the southern part of the country. He lauded Maitreyan for choosing politics to serve the nation despite being a specialist in oncology. Azad also appreciated Raja for his contribution in the House, especially through his speeches on every legislation and issue.
In his emotional farewell speech, Maitreyan remembered his leader J Jayalalithaa, who had reposed faith in him and sent him to this House for three consecutive terms. He also wished member Arun Jaitley good health so that he continues to guide many in the future.
The AIADMK leader lamented that this House did not make obituary reference in May 2009 when a large number of his Tamil brethren lost their lives in Sri Lankan violence and called upon the House not
to give an obituary for him, when the time comes. Raja said this country is very diverse and people should treat all like human being and respect everyone equally and not discriminate on basis of caste, creed or economic status.