The Hindu : Front Page : Elders bid farewell to Shekhawat

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Wednesday, Aug 08, 2007
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Elders bid farewell to Shekhawat

Gargi Parsai

He underlines the need for electoral reforms and putting a stop to criminalisation of politics

— Photo: R.V. Moorthy

end of an innings: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presents a memento to the former Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, at a farewell function at the Parliament Annexe in New Delhi on Tuesday. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is at the right.

New Delhi: The former Vice-President and the former Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, on Wednesday said the country was faced with the formidable challenges of achieving a balanced growth and development. “Today, growth is not inclusive and has not permeated all sections of society.”

He was speaking at a Rajya Sabha farewell function at the Parliament House Annexe. Mr. Shekhawat resigned on July 21 after he lost the Vice-Presidential election to United Progressive Alliance candidate Pratibha Patil. His term was till August 18.

The function was attended, among others, by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is also the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh, the Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi and Rajya Sabha members. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha K. Rahman Khan was the host. On the occasion, a common farewell address was presented to him from all members of the Rajya Sabha.

Challenges ahead

Mr. Shekhawat said that unless the population stabilised, the pace of development would be slow and people would remain on the margins of society and the economy. “The challenge is also to have a system of governance that is free from corruption and provides the common man security and an efficient delivery of goods and services. The quality of governance in a democracy will critically hinge on the quality of business transacted in Parliament.”

He underscored the need for electoral reforms and put a stop to criminalisation of politics. “The task of nation-building is often a painstaking process, like running a long race. We not only need to run together but also to run fast to catch up with the rest of the developed nations.”

Recalling with satisfaction the numerous debates in the House during his chairmanship, he said that politics should involve debates without rancour, discussions without bitterness and criticism without creating adversaries. He would cherish his stint in the upper House as the “most precious memory” of his life.

Recalling his long association with Mr. Shekhawat, the Prime Minister said he was one of the greatest Chief Ministers of Rajasthan who was committed to the development of the State and welfare of the people. “He was a source of inspiration to all Chief Ministers across the country.”

Dr. Singh said that as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Shekhawat commanded the respect of all sections of society. He made parliamentary proceedings meaningful and purposeful and set new benchmarks for conducting legislative business. He created history by streamlining parliamentary procedures and his determination made him take as many questions as possible, sometimes even all 20 questions, during the Question Hour.

Dr. Singh recalled how Mr. Shekhawat took the initiative of promoting a lively interface of parliamentarians with people. He also encouraged back-benchers and shy members to participate in the proceedings. “Such a pro-active role by a Chairman is unprecedented. We shall miss you and your style of conducting proceedings and your legacy will continue to inspire us all.”

Mr. Dasmunsi lauded Mr. Shekhawat’s ability to “establish consensus amongst conflict.”

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