Vice-President and Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Monday got emotional as the members of the House bid him farewell. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that it was an emotional moment for the House. “You (Naidu) have always said that you have retired from politics but are not tired of public life… Your term in the office may be coming to an end but your experiences will continue to guide the nation for years to come,” he said.
As TMC MP Derek O’ Brien recounted the story of Naidu losing his mother at an early age, the outgoing Chairman teared up. Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition in the House, Mallikarjun Kharge, stated that though they may have different ideologies, he thanks Naidu for carrying out his responsibilities even under pressure.
The Congress party, meanwhile, has hit out at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over its summons to Kharge. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh issued a statement saying, “…in matters, issuing of summons by ED or any law-enforcing agencies to any MP much less the Leader of Opposition when Parliament is in session, is an outright affront to the sacred institution of Parliament and Parliamentarians.” He added, “it is high time that the presiding officers of both Houses may deliberate and ensure that such gross affronts on Parliament and MPs do not recur.”
