NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday paid tributes to his outgoing colleagues in the Upper House while taking a dig at former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. Kharge, speaking during his farewell said he had known the veteran leader for over 54 years and had worked closely with him, before the former PM’s party alligned with the BJP.“I know Deve Gowda ji for more than 54 years and I worked with him a lot. Later, I don’t know what happened…’ Wo mohabbat humare saath kiye, shadi Modi sahab ke sath,” Kharge said, drawing laugh from fellow MPs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Deve Gowda became Prime Minister in 1996 at the head of a United Front government backed by Congress, marking a key phase of cooperation. In Karnataka, his party, JD(S), later alternated between opposing and partnering Congress.
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Kharge’s farewell speech focused on the enduring nature of public service. He said those in politics “neither get tired nor retire” because of their commitment to serving the country. While he is formally retiring from his current term, Kharge is expected to return to the House, reinforcing his point that political life rarely comes to a definitive end.Earlier in the day, PM Modi also addressed the House, thanking outgoing members for their contributions and echoing a similar sentiment. “There is no full stop in politics. The future is waiting for you,” the Prime Minister said, urging retiring MPs to continue contributing to public life. He also called on newly elected members to learn from senior leaders such as Deve Gowda, Kharge and Sharad Pawar, noting their decades of parliamentary experience.PM Modi also singled out Ramdas Athawale for his wit, remarking that humour and satire in the House had diminished in recent years but remained alive through figures like him. Athawale is among 37 members completing their terms, alongside leaders including Priyanka Chaturvedi, Tiruchi Siva and Abhishek Manu Singhvi.The retirements follow elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, with 26 candidates elected unopposed. Political developments in states such as Bihar, where opposition abstentions aided the NDA, have further reshaped the Upper House’s composition.
