I am now an all-party man, says Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi: Former Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday took oath as the 15th vice-president of the country at a ceremony in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan, which was attended by Prime Miniser Narendra Modi along with political leaders cutting across party lines.

Hours later, Mr Naidu chaired the Rajya Sabha proceedings on the last day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament and in his familiar style, told the members that while the Opposition “must have its say” but “at the end of the day, the democracy says that the government must have its way” because it has the mandate. He also said that he is now “an all-party man.”

The vice-president of the country is the ex-officio chairman of the Upper House of Parliament.

While Mr Naidu is the 15th vice-president, he is the 13th person to hold the constitutional post. His predecessor Hamid Ansari and the first vice -president S. Radhakrishnan had held the post for two consecutive terms.

Welcoming Mr Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it is a tribute to the Indian democracy that people rise from humble and rural backgrounds to the highest constitutional positions. Mr Modi said Mr Naidu is the first vice-president to be born in independent India and besides having long experience, is well-versed with the intricacies of parliamentary procedures and the functioning of the House.

“All constitutional positions today are occupied by poor or sons of farmers or commoners,” Mr Modi as he recalled his long association with the new vice-president. Mr Modi said Mr Naidu has always been sensitive to the needs of rural areas, poor and farmers and his inputs on these issues have been of immense value. Mr Modi said the day holds a historic value as on this day, Khudiram Bose, a 18-year old young revolutionary of the freedom struggle, was hanged by the British.

Describing Mr Naidu as a “son of a farmer,”  who joined the student movement on a call given by J P Narayan, the PM said that he has since risen from the ranks to lead the second highest constitutional position in the country. Mr Modi said even as the urban development minister Mr Naidu gave more inputs on rural and farmer issues and said he was the one who gave the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana - a scheme most sought after by the MPs for development of their constituencies. He expressed confidence that Naidu would rise to the occasion and his conduct would win him accolades from opposition benches as well.

Recalling his humble background, Mr Naidu said the “beauty and majesty of our parliamentary democracy and its strength as well” is that it can “lift a commoner like me to such an exalted position and offer opportunities to discharge onerous responsibilities that go with this position...”

Quoting former President Pranab Mukherjee, Mr Naidu said the House “should debate, discuss and decide on issues but disruptions should be avoided.” He also said that he did not approve of legislations being passed in the din and emphasised that it can happen when there are no disruptions. Many opposition parties members, in their welcome speech had requested him that no bill should be passed in the din. Mr Naidu said that members belonging to various parties were political rivals but not enemies.

“We have to keep this in mind and work together,” he said and added that all members should work to strengthen the country in line with their views and ideologies. Mr Naidu said that if all follow the rules, everyone will be able get the opportunity to speak as time management is crucial.

Earlier, Union law minister Ravishankar Prasad hoped that Mr Naidu’s rich experience will help in the better functioning of the House and took pride in the fact that he was among those who had emerged as young leaders under Mr Naidu’s guidance as BJP’s president. The Union minister said as party president, the new Vice President had helped prop up many young leaders like himself and Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who now hold important positions in the government.

Addressing the opposition benches, Mr Naidu said the best time of his career was during his opposition days when he would raise issues. He said he was a bitter critic but still did not cross the limits.

Speaking about the role of the Rajya Sabha, he said it is known as “a sobering House, known for the quality of debate.” Mr Naidu also advised the media to shun sensationalism and focus more on constructive debates that take place in the House.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of House Arun Jaitley, Leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad were among those who were present in the House as the Vice President spoke.

In his welcome speech, Mr Jaitley recalled Mr Naidu’s long journey from being a political worker to the Vice President. Congress leader Anand Sharma said that Mr Naidu had the experience of being on both sides, whether the opposition or the treasury.

Referring to Mr Naidu’s comments that he was above party politics, Mr Sharma said it was important that both sides are treated justly.

Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut said Mr Naidu joined politics as a student leader, then went on to head the BJP’s student wing and has today returned to head a “class with members like me as its students”.

RPI(A) chief and Union minister Ram Dass Athawale in his inimitable style lent some homour to the House by saying it was very difficult to run the House and “most difficult” to unite the BJP and the Congress.

Members of the smaller parties requested that justice should be done with them in terms of giving them appropriate time to speak.

TMC’s Derek O’Brien urged Mr Naidu to continue his practice of using acronyms and made an acronym of Mr Naidu as ‘Now All India’s Dearest Umpire’.

In his last remarks as the member of the House, CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury expected Mr Naidu’s innings in the Upper House to be “very illustrious”.

JD(U)’s Bashistha Narain Singh congratulated Mr Naidu from his behalf as well as people of Bihar and wished him best wishes and success.