‘Wit-liners, not one-liners’: PM Narendra Modi hails Venkaiah Naidu as Rajya Sabha bids farewell to vice president

In his farewell speech for Naidu in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said the outgoing chairman encouraged dialogue and has set standards and a legacy that will continue to guide his successors. Naidu completes his five-year term on August 10.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed M Venkaiah Naidu's ''wit and one-liners'' as he praised his five-year term as vice president and Rajya Sabha chairman during which the "productivity of the House increased 70 per cent". In his emotional farewell speech for Naidu in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said the outgoing chairman encouraged dialogue and has set standards and a legacy that will continue to guide his successors. Naidu completes his five-year term on August 10.

PM Modi said Naidu was of the opinion that ''disruptions of proceedings beyond a point were contempt of the House.''

He worked on the principle that 'let the government propose, let Opposition oppose, let the house dispose', PM Modi said. "One of the admirable things about Naidu is his passion for Indian languages. This was reflected in how he presided over the House," PM Modi said, adding as chairman he encouraged the use of mother tongue.

On Naidu's famous ''one-liners'', the Prime Minister said "they are wit-liners". "There is both depth and substance in what Naidu says," he said.

Your one-liners are wit-liners. They are win-liners too. It means nothing more needs to be said after those lines. Your every word is heard, preferred and revered and never countered: PM Narendra Modi, in Rajya Sabha, to outgoing Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President pic.twitter.com/kWK7dgwXjY — ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2022

PM Modi said he has worked with Naidu closely over the years. "I have also seen him take up different responsibilities and he performed each of them with great dedication." "As our vice president, you devoted a lot of time to youth welfare. A lot of your programmes were focused on Yuva Shakti," he said.

PM Modi said Independence Day this year will be celebrated with the president, vice president, Lok Sabha Speaker and Prime Minister all born in independent India. "And each of them comes from very humble backgrounds."

The PM said that Naidu contributed to the increased productivity of the Rajya Sabha. "Around 70 per cent productivity of Rajya Sabha increased in your tenure and almost 177 Bills either passed or debate were held on them," said the Prime Minister.

Hailing Naidu in his turn, LoP in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said, "You had advocated for a national policy for Upper Houses in all major states. You also spoke about consensus on Women Reservation Bill & other issues. I believe Govt will complete the incomplete you're leaving behind."

You had advocated for a national policy for Upper Houses in all major states. You also spoke about consensus on Women Reservation Bill & other issues. I believe Govt will complete the incomplete you're leaving behind: LoP in RS Mallikarjun Kharge to outgoing RS Chairman & VP pic.twitter.com/JjMxbuv2By

— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2022

In 2017, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominated M Venkaiah Naidu as its candidate for the vice-presidential election and he went on to become India`s 15th vice president. Born on July 1, 1949, the term of Naidu as Vice President ends on August 10, 2022.