Rajya Sabha bids farewell to 6 retiring members P Wilson re-elected

     New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Rajya Sabha bid farewell to six members from Tamil Nadu who are completing their terms on Thursday, with MPs cutting across party lines appreciating their contribution towards strengthening democratic traditions in the country.
     One of the retiring members, P Wilson of DMK, has been re-elected to the Rajya Sabha.
     The terms of M Mohamed Abdulla (DMK), N Chandrasegharan (AIADMK), Anbumani Ramadoss (PMK), M Shanmugam (DMK), Vaiko (MDMK) and P Wilson (DMK) ended on Thursday.
     Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Leader of the House J P Nadda, and several senior MPs across political parties spoke highly about the contribution of the retiring members to public discourse and strengthening democratic traditions.
     "Each one of these (retiring) members has contributed meaningfully to the deliberations of the House, bringing with them diverse experiences, perspectives and a deep sense of commitment to public service and democratic value," Harivansh said.
     He expressed confidence that the leaders who had devoted their entire life to the service of the people will not remain idle, but will continue to work tirelessly in future also.
     "Their participation has enriched the democratic functioning of this House. On behalf of the entire House and on my own behalf, I place on record our heartfelt gratitude to the retiring members for their service to the nation and this August institution.
     "We wish them good health, happiness, and continued success in their future endeavours. We hope they will continue to serve the people in various capacities and inspire future generations to uphold the ideas about democratic polity," Harivansh said.
     Union Minister and BJP President Nadda said the retiring members during their tenure provided valuable insights on different aspects, including policy, legal, and social issues and thus enriching the House.
     "Discussion and debate are natural in democracy. There is also a place for disagreement in democracy and we also believe this. Despite differences in opinion, our departing colleagues held important discussions on various contemporary, social, legal issues etc. in the debates and made them of high standards and I thank them for this."
     He said that retirement does not end the working period and everyone gets a chance to work.
     Referring to Vaiko, Nadda said his contribution will always be remembered inside and outside the House. He said that the way he raised the issue of fishermen in the House on Wednesday, it does not seem that his enthusiasm is low. He wished the retiring members a better future and good health.
     The retiring MPs (except Ramadoss who was not present in the House) also made brief speeches in the House and recalled their association with members. They also conveyed gratitude to their respective parties and their top leaders for giving them opportunities to become MPs and serve people.
     In his farewell speech, Vaiko also spoke about Jagdeep Dhankhar saying the former Vice President and Chairman always showed affection and regards towards him.
     Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said that the retiring members raised issues related to social justice and wished them a better future.
     DMK's Tiruchi Siva said the retiring members raised several issues and put forth their views which will be remembered. He said Vaiko was always heard attentively by everyone and he will always be missed.
     He said the House will miss the members who are retiring.
     AIADMK's M Thambidurai said his party always tried to maintain the dignity of the House and for this he is grateful to his party colleagues.
     Congress' Pramod Tiwari said during their tenure, the retiring members raised the voice of the public and hoped that these members would remain connected with the common people in some form or the other.
     Derek O'Brien of Trinamool Congress, Sanjay Singh of Aam Aadmi Party, Sasmit Patra of Biju Janata Dal, Subhash Chandra Bose Pilli of YSRCP, Premchandra Gupta of Rashtriya Janata Dal, Prof Manoj Kumar Jha, K R Suresh Reddy of BRS, John Brittos of CPI(M), Dr V Sivadasan, Sanjay Kumar Jha of Janata Dal (United), Praful Patel of Nationalist Congress Party, Prof Ramgopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party, Milind Murli Deora of Shiv Sena, Abdul Wahab of IUML, Sandhosh Kumar P of Communist Party of India also wished the retiring members.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)