New Delhi, March 18 Members of the Rajya Sabha bid farewell to retiring colleagues on Wednesday, highlighting their cross-party camaraderie, and expressed confidence that they would continue to serve in public life.
Participating in the farewell discussion, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien extended greetings on behalf of party chief Mamata Banerjee, and said retiring members were moving on to "new roles" to continue their public life.
O'Brien noted that many of the retiring MPs had the rare distinction of serving under three Rajya Sabha chairmen — M Venkaiah Naidu, Jagdeep Dhankhar, and the incumbent CP Radhakrishnan — during their six-year tenure.
He also highlighted the contributions of younger parliamentarians, including Priyanka Chaturvedi, Saket Gokhale, and Ritabrata Banerjee, and said the House reflected a blend of experience and youth.
"As we celebrate the experience of the septuagenarians and the octogenarians, I want to celebrate the contributions made by the young parliamentarians in the Rajya Sabha... They are not retiring. They are merely having a job transfer to some other role in the party," he said.
"The average age of Rajya Sabha members is about 61, 62. While we respect all the experience of the seniors, we are working very hard in Trinamool Congress because we are the second-largest opposition party now in the Rajya Sabha with our younger MPs, younger ideas, so we have a beautiful mix of experience with youth," he said.
Speaking for the DMK, Tiruchi Siva described the moment as "not the end of the road but only the bend of the road," exuding confidence that retiring members would continue contributing to public life.
He said parting was inevitable but difficult, as he recalled long associations with colleagues cutting across party lines.
Siva paid tributes to several outgoing members, including senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, whom he described as a respected figure in national politics, and others such as Rajani Patil, Bhubaneswar Kalita, and KTS Tulsi.
He also praised the parliamentary contributions of DMK colleagues, including NR Elango and Kanimozhi NVN Somu, noting their role in legislative debates. He also thanked Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who is also among the retiring members.
"He was not only being the chair and conducting the House, but he used to listen to the speeches and appreciate after that, calling us in his chamber," Siva said.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh said farewell moments were "painful and emotional."
Recalling close personal bonds formed in parliamentary committees, he urged the Chair to allow former members access to the inner lobby of the Rajya Sabha as earlier.
He also thanked Deputy Chairman Harivansh for his conduct and apologised for any unintended harshness in past interactions.
BJD member Sasmit Patra said such occasions underscored that beyond political differences, members were united by a shared commitment to public service.
“Not power, not privilege, but service” defined those who entered the House, he said, wishing the retiring MPs well.