Kharge, Deve Gowda, and Modi: A Farewell of Laughter in the Rajya Sabha

By Political Correspondent

The atmosphere in the Rajya Sabha underwent a significant transformation on a recent Wednesday in New Delhi, moving away from the usual noise and heated exchanges between the treasury and Opposition benches. Instead, the Upper House rang with peals of laughter, marking a welcome shift in the tone of parliamentary discourse. This light-hearted moment was orchestrated by Mallikarjun Kharge, the outgoing Congress president and Leader of the Opposition, during his farewell speech.

As Kharge concluded his address, he reflected on how his tenure in the House had enriched him personally. However, the highlight of his speech was a series of remarks targeting fellow senior leaders whose terms were also ending or returning, specifically former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and NCP founder Sharad Pawar. While Pawar is set to return to the House for another term, Kharge focused his humor on the complex political history shared with Deve Gowda.

The Remark That Echoed Through the House

Kharge’s most memorable contribution to the session was a dig at the shifting alliances involving HD Deve Gowda. Kharge noted that Deve Gowda had served as Prime Minister and held several other capacities. Highlighting their long association, Kharge stated that he had known Gowda for 54 years and worked alongside him. However, he punctuated this with a witty observation regarding their political relationship.

Kharge remarked, "I have known him for 54 years and have worked with him. But I don't know what happened. He dated us, loved us, but married Prime Minister Narendra Modi." This comment drew a round of laughter from across the House, including the Prime Minister himself, who was present in the Rajya Sabha during the session. The humor was rooted in the historical context provided by the session's proceedings. Deve Gowda served as the Prime Minister for less than a year following the 1996 Lok Sabha polls. During that time, the Congress supported the United Front government he headed.

The remark also alluded to more recent political shifts. HD Deve Gowda's JDS tied up with the Congress in Karnataka for the 2018 state polls, resulting in a victory where Deve Gowda's son, HD Kumaraswamy, became Chief Minister. However, the state government collapsed in 2019 after several Congress and JDS MLAs rebelled. Following this, the JDS later allied with the BJP, a detail that Kharge used to explain his dig, highlighting the fluid nature of political alliances over the decades.

PM Modi’s Reaction and Advice to Newcomers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, present in the House, was seen laughing at the remark, signaling a rare moment of levity between the Opposition leader and the head of government. Following the laughter, PM Modi took the floor to thank the retiring Rajya Sabha MPs for their contributions. He offered a philosophical perspective on political careers, stating that there is "no full stop in politics."

Modi assured the retiring members that their experience and contribution would always be remembered, noting that the future is waiting for them. He also extended advice to the newly elected MPs, urging them to learn from veterans. Specifically, he highlighted HD Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sharad Pawar as senior leaders who have spent more than half of their lives in parliamentary work. He suggested that the new members should take lessons from their long-standing dedication to the institution.

The Evergreen Humor of Ramdas Athawale

The session also featured a playful exchange involving Union Minister and RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale. Kharge took a potshot at the minister, noting that Athawale always praises Modiji in his poems. Kharge quipped that the minister doesn't know any other poem, a comment that drew smiles from Congress members in the gallery.

PM Modi responded to this jab with his own observation on the nature of humor in the House. He remarked that sometimes people used to hear that there is a lot of opportunity for humour and satire in the House, though these days, perhaps it is gradually decreasing. However, he noted that "our Athawale is evergreen." This comment was a nod to the fact that the RPI (A) chief is also returning for another term in the Rajya Sabha, ensuring that the element of humor remains present in the chamber.

Parliamentary Transitions and New Beginnings

Beyond the humor and farewells, the session marked a significant transition for the Upper House. Thirty-seven seats in the Rajya Sabha became vacant this year. The process to fill these seats saw 26 candidates elected unopposed, while the remaining seats were filled after an election held on Monday. The presence of returning leaders like Sharad Pawar and Ramdas Athawale, alongside the outgoing Kharge and the departing Deve Gowda, underscored the cycle of political renewal.

The interaction between Kharge, Deve Gowda, and PM Modi served as a reminder of the personal relationships that underpin political alliances. The shift from noisy protests to peals of laughter indicated a momentary pause in the usual adversarial dynamic, allowing for a human connection to shine through the formalities of parliamentary procedure.

Key Takeaways

• Kharge's Farewell: Mallikarjun Kharge delivered a light-hearted farewell speech in the Rajya Sabha, focusing on his time in the House.
• The Deve Gowda Joke: Kharge joked that HD Deve Gowda "dated us, loved us, but married Prime Minister Narendra Modi," referencing past alliances and the JDS-BJP connection.
• PM Modi's Presence: Prime Minister Modi was present in the House and laughed at the remark, later thanking retiring MPs and advising new members to learn from veterans.
• Athawale's Role: Kharge noted Ramdas Athawale only writes poems praising Modi, while PM Modi described Athawale as "evergreen" regarding humor in the House.
• Election Updates: Thirty-seven seats became vacant, with 26 filled unopposed and the rest filled via election on Monday.

Summary

The Rajya Sabha session concluded with a unique blend of historical reflection and contemporary humor. Mallikarjun Kharge’s farewell speech utilized political history to engage the House, creating a rare moment of shared laughter with Prime Minister Modi. While the political landscape remains complex, as evidenced by the shifting alliances described, the session highlighted the enduring relationships and the cyclical nature of parliamentary life where veterans are honored and new members are encouraged to learn from their predecessors.