Bidding farewell to outgoing Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said his legacy will continue to guide the nation.
The Prime Minister, who spoke first as the House bid goodbye to the outgoing Chairman, called it a “very emotional moment”.
“We are all present here to thank Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu at the conclusion of his tenure. This is a very emotional moment for this House. So many historic moments have been associated with your dignified presence… Your term in the office may be coming to an end but your experiences will continue to guide the nation in coming years,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister appreciated various roles played by Naidu.
“Personally, I have been fortunate to have seen your roles closely. Be it your ideological commitment as a party worker, your role as a Chairman in the House, your leadership as BJP President or your dignity and loyalty as the Vice President, your hard work in the cabinet, I have seen you working devotedly in all your roles,” he said.
Modi said Naidu never considered any work a burden.
“We have seen your passion continuously. I would like to tell every youth that they can learn a lot about society, country and democracy from you.”
The Prime Minister praised Naidu for his language skills.
“The one liners of Naiduji are famous. They are wit liners. His command over the languages has always been great. There is both depth and substance in what Naiduji says.”
Modi pointed out that the Rajya Sabha clocked a 70 per cent increase in productivity during Naidu’s tenure.
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said he may have a different ideology but thanked the Chairman for the way he carried out his responsibilities even under pressure.
When Trinamool MP Derek O’ Brien recounted how Naidu lost his mother at an early age, the latter became emotional and shed tears.
Naidu is scheduled to demit office on Wednesday. The new Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankhar, will take the oath of office on August 11.
