Rajya Sabha Bids Farewell to 59 Retiring Members

• By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
• Mar 18, 2026
• 846

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday accorded a formal farewell to 59 members set to retire between April and July, marking the end of their current parliamentary terms.

Among the  departing figures were former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, veteran  Sharad Pawar, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, and Ramdas Athawale. Notably, Pawar and Athawale have secured re-election to the Upper House.

During the farewell proceedings, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge injected a moment of levity, remarking about Deve Gowda: “He once held affection for us, but eventually aligned with Modiji.”

The comment drew laughter across the House, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing the retiring members, Modi described Parliament as an “open university of public life,” emphasizing that politics offers no definitive endpoint.

He noted that while parliamentary tenures may conclude, the experience and contributions of leaders continue to shape the nation’s democratic journey.