NEW DELHI,19 March 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appreciated contributions of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.
Bidding farewell to the retiring members of the Rajya Sabha, he said they are senior figures who spent more than half their lives in the Parliament proceedings and urged the newly elected MPs to learn from them on how to come to the House with dedication and contribute as much as one can.
He said: “This House, in itself, is an open university. It provides an opportunity to become enriched with the many finer aspects of national life. In a way, both our learning and our initiation take place here. It is also an opportunity to shape and mould one’s own life.”
He referred to some MPs who had the opportunity sith in both the old and the new Houses. “That means they have been given the chance to contribute to the nation’s welfare from both buildings. During their tenure, they also had the opportunity to be part of the construction process of this House and the decision-making process for the new one.”
As regards the outgoing Rajya Sabha members, Modi said there is no full stop in politics. “I am indebted to you for giving me an opportunity to speak on this special occasion. Honourable Chairman Sir, many issues are discussed in this House and everyone makes a very important contribution. There are also some bitter and sweet experiences along the way.
“However, when such an occasion arises, it is natural that we rise above party lines and a common sentiment emerges among all of us — that our colleagues are now moving forward for some other important responsibilities,” said PM Modi.
He further said: “Some members who are taking leave today are doing so with the hope of returning again. Others are leaving with the experience they have gained here and will continue to contribute in meaningful ways to society and public life. To those who are leaving and may not return to this House, I would like to say that in politics there is no full stop.”
Kharge addressed the Rajya Sabha as his last day in the House as the leader of Opposition. In a farewell speech, the 83-year-old Congress President and Leader of the Opposition emphasized that politicians “never truly retire” and that his work in public life continues.
While his current term as a Rajya Sabha member ended, reports indicate he intends to remain active in political life and has expressed that he will return to the house in other capacities. He continues to be the president of the Congress.
Deve Gowda is among the senior leaders being bid farewell as part of the retiring members of the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Modi praised his long, decades-spanning parliamentary career and contribution to public duty during this farewell.
Unlike them, Sharad Pawar has been re-elected to the Rajya Sabha. Participating in the farewell speech, his NCP colleague Praful Patel said it was a privilege to welcome back Pawar “whose wisdom and decades of experience continue to be a guiding light for us all.”
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday extended the tenure of the “one nation, one election” joint committee headed by PP Chaudhary, who moved a resolution extending its term up to the first day of the last week of the monsoon session.
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