Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, February 8, lauded the contribution of his predecessor Manmohan Singh to the Parliament. While bidding farewell to members retiring from the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said the nation will remember him for his contribution as a Parliamentarian and as a nation's head.
"I want to remember Dr Manmohan Singh today, his contribution has been immense. For such a long time, the way he has guided this House and the country, he will always be remembered for it."
Modi praised Dr Singh as he came to vote in the Rajya Sabha on a wheelchair to help strengthen democracy. "I remember in the other House, during the voting, it was known that the treasury bench would win but Dr Manmohan Singh came in his wheelchair and cast his vote. This an example of a member being alert of his duties," he said.
Singh was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in October 1991 after he became the Finance minister. He had six terms in the Rajya Sabha - 1991, 1995, 2001, 2007, 2013 and 2019.
He is currently a member of the Council of States from Rajasthan and his term ends on April 3, 2024.
Singh was Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha from May 2004 to 2014 when he was prime minister. He also remained as Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha from March 21, 1998 to May 21, 2004.
Sixty-eight members of Rajya Sabha are retiring between February and May after completing their term. He gave his best wishes to all retiring members expressed the hope that that new generations will benefit from their experience.
Fifty-six Rajya Sabha seats across 15 states will go to polls on February 27. Polling will be held between 9 am and 4 pm and the counting of votes will be done on the same day.
First Published: Feb 8, 2024 1:07 PM IST
