On Monday, outgoing Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu urged opposition parties to treat the ruling party as a rival rather than an enemy. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP for the opportunity to serve as India’s Vice President.
Outgoing Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu stated that he has never aspired to be President and will not become a “dissident,” but will continue to connect with and interact with people. He added “The day PM told me that I was being selected to become the Vice President of India, I was in tears, I didn’t ask for it. Party had given the mandate, and I obliged and resigned from the party. Tears were because I had to leave the party.”
“I did my best to maintain the House. I tried to accommodate and give opportunities to all sides – South, North, East, West, North-East. Each one of you has been given time,” he added.
Venkaiah Naidu further said, “I’m very happy on one side and on the other side I feel, I’ll be missing you all as I’ll not be in this position of chairing the House from 10th Aug onwards. I always used to say ‘Namaste’ while greeting the House. He focused on Indian tradition and culture.
The outgoing RS Chairman in his parting speech further added, “We, the Upper House, have a greater responsibility. The entire world is watching India. India is on the move. I appeal to Rajya Sabha MPs to maintain decency, dignity and decorum so that the image and respect of the House is maintained.”
While concluding his farewell speech, Naidu told the Opposition parties, “We are not enemies, we are rivals. We must work hard to outshine others in competition but not run down others.”
The farewell function of Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu was held in New Delhi at the Parliament House Complex. Naidu demits office on Wednesday and his successor Jagdeep Dhankhar will take the oath of office on August 11.
