Outgoing Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said when Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed him in 2017 that he was selected to become the Vice President of India, he was in tears because he would have to leave the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“I have no ill-will against anybody or any party. On the day when I was selected to be the Vice President of India and when the Prime Minister and the then president of the party, to which I belong, told me in the parliamentary board meeting that I was being selected, I was in tears. I did not ask for this. But you know, as a disciplined soldier of the party and as the party had given the mandate, I obliged, and I resigned from the party,” Naidu said on Monday, turning visibly emotional.
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He said the tears were not because he baulked at the responsibility, but because he had to leave the party that had given him everything.
{{/usCountry}}He said the tears were not because he baulked at the responsibility, but because he had to leave the party that had given him everything.
{{/usCountry}}Naidu, whose term ends on Wednesday, also said he will not rejoin politics but will continue to remain connected with the people and interact with them.
“I never asked for precedent, never became a dissident or never confined to residence. I will be moving around -- going around, meeting, greeting and talking to you all on larger issues. I will not get into politics,” he said.
He also urged politicians to refrain from running down each other and expressed unhappiness over the frequent stalling of House proceedings. Naidu said people expect Parliament to discuss, debate and not disrupt and that the members should observe “decency, dignity and decorum” to maintain the image and respect of the House.
“The normal feeling about politicians... Respect is declining everywhere and this is because the value systems are declining. Keep that in mind and try to do your bit,” Naidu said.
On the disciplinary action that he had to take against members during his tenure, he said, “…As I told you, students, rural people, ordinary people, etc will be watching the parliamentary proceedings. That is why, sometimes, I have to intervene, I have to be strict and also, I have to take not a happy decision of naming some members. Otherwise, it gives me no enjoyment to take such extreme action. I have no ill-will against anybody or any party.”
Naidu said he gave equal opportunity to all sides to participate in debates and discussions.
“I did my best to maintain the dignity of the House and I tried to accommodate all sides -- south, north, east, west and north-east,” he said.