NEW DELHI, Nov 25:
Ten members of the Rajya Sabha, who completed their six year tenure today, were given a warm send-off in the House as they shared their experiences before the members.
Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari and leader of the House Arun Jaitley complimented the members for their contribution and conveyed their best wishes to them.
Among those who shared their feelings and emotions with the members in the House today were Brajesh Pathak (BSP), Amar Singh (Independent), Avtar Singh Karimpuri (BSP), Mohammed Adeeb (Independent), Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) and Veer Singh (BSP).
The other retiring members are Akhilesh Das Gupta, Brijlal Khabri, Kusum Rai and Rajaram.
Three of those retiring today have been re-elected for another term in the Upper House, including Ram Gopal and Veer Singh.
Speaking on the occasion Amar Singh thanked Jaitley for his support all along, who in turn described the former as being one of the most “colourful” members, who will be missed for his “turn of the phrase” through which he could say a lot.
Karimpuri, Pathak and Veer Singh thanked their leader Mayawati for reposing faith in them by having nominated them to the Upper House, where they learnt a lot.
Adeeb in his candid remarks reminisced about how the time alloted to him was insufficient for airing his views on important issues in the House while the “frontbenchers” got most of the time.
Yadav hoped those not being renominated will get chances to return to the house.
Referring to three of the ten members being re-elected, Jaitley said “there is strike rate of 30 percent of those coming back” and hoped that the strike rate improves.
“Some of them have made a great impact in this House …Due to the functional culture of this House, all of them are also going out as much better equipped due to the decisions taken here…I wish them all the best,” he said.
Jaitley said these members “shift their area of operation from one form to another and will continue to serve the society.”
Ansari said the House will surely miss those who are not coming back. “I am sure they will cherish their association with this House. I wish them good health and good luck.”
Jaitley added, “… All of them are also going out as much better equipped having learned from the decision-making process that this House follows. All these Members are in public life, and I have always said earlier also that those who are in public life never retire.
“…I wish each one of them a very long and healthy life. I hope we will be able to see most of them back in this House, if not immediately, maybe some time in future. I wish them all the best once again.”
Ansari while giving his best wishes to the retiring members said, “I am happy to note that some of the retiring Members have been re-elected. But the House will surely miss those who would not be coming back.
“The retiring Members have made valuable contributions to the proceedings of the House on many memorable occasions. I am sure, they will cherish the memory of their association with this august House. I wish them good health, happiness and success in every sphere of life. The House shall ever remember their association,” Ansari said. (AGENCIES)
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