PM Modi Bids Farewell to 59 Retiring Rajya Sabha Members: “Your Experience Will Forever Remain Part of Nation’s Life”

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked the 59 Members retiring between April and July, including Deputy Chairman Harivansh, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in the Upper House of Indian Parliament.

Addressing the farewell session, PM Modi said “In politics, there are no full stops; your experience and contribution will forever remain a part of the nation’s life.”

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha. https://t.co/TV2X34E4D1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 18, 2026

He also emphasised the importance of learning from veteran leaders, stating that younger members should draw inspiration and guidance from experienced parliamentarians.

“There is much to learn from these senior leaders about staying entirely committed to the responsibilities given by society,”Modi added.

Highlighting the best contributions of the outgoing members, the Prime Minister said “that the new generation of MPs should look to veterans like Deve Gowda, Kharge, and Sharad Pawar as role models. He praised Deputy Chairman Harivansh for his soft-spoken conduct and his ability to maintain the House’s trust while handling complex crises.

While Mr. Pawar has been renominated and Mr. Kharge expects another term, Mr. Harivansh will not return immediately, with the JD(U) nominating Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Minister Ramnath Thakur instead.

Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, also retiring, reiterated his opposition to disruptions in Parliament and flagged increasing communal tensions. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, who has not been renominated, described the moment as a “pause” and said she hoped the early implementation of the Women Reservation Act would bring her back to the House in future.

Addressing the House, Mr. Kharge said that both the ruling party and the Opposition play an equally important role in lawmaking, particularly through parliamentary committees, and any obstruction to these roles weakens the institution of Parliament. He stressed the need to increase the number of sittings and ensure meaningful discussions on public issues.

अच्छा कानून बनता है तो उसमें सत्ता पक्ष ही नहीं, विपक्ष के सांसदों की भी बराबर की भूमिका होती है। संसदीय समितियों में उनकी महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका होती है।

मुझे लगता है कि इन भूमिकाओं में किसी तरह का अवरोध संसदीय संस्था को कमजोर करेगा। इस नाते मैं आपसे अनुरोध करूंगा कि इन सवालों पर आप… pic.twitter.com/R6UWOrGvml
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 18, 2026

Kharge called for longer parliamentary sessions, greater cooperation between the Treasury and the Opposition benches, and a review of Rajya Sabha rules to strengthen democratic functioning. He warned that rising mistrust and frequent expunction of Opposition remarks diluted accountability and weakened institutions.

Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan said the retirement of 59 Members marked both continuity and renewal in the Rajya Sabha, with one-third of the House changing every two years under the constitutional scheme. He described retirement as the start of new responsibilities, not an end, and said the experience of outgoing Members would continue to guide parliamentary work.

Concluding the address, Modi expressed confidence that the members’ vision and capacity have expanded manifold through their years of parliamentary experience. He noted that their invaluable contributions to nation-building would continue to be felt whether they serve within the formal system or through independent social work. PM Modi once again glorified the long and dedicated service of the retiring representatives, thanking them for their commitment. “I once again salute and glorify the contributions of all the retiring members,” Modi stated.

The session underscored the periodic renewal in the Upper House while paying homage to the enduring role of experienced lawmakers in India’s democratic framework.