Venkaiah Naidu urges parliamentarians to adhere to high standards.
M Venkaiah Naidu, the outgoing chairman of Rajya Sabha, said he was not interested in being President and will not become a ‘dissident’, but will keep in touch with people and interact with them as before.
In his farewell speech, Naidu stressed that people expect Parliament to debate and discuss, not disrupt. The Vice President encouraged members to maintain the House’s image and respect by observing “decency, dignity, and decorum”.
“The normal feeling about politicians…Respect is declining everywhere and this is because the value systems are declining. Keep that in mind and try to do your bit,” he said, urging parliamentarians to adhere to high standards.
Asked about speculation about his ambition to become President, Naidu clarified, “I am not of that type, people now often talk – either president, otherwise dissident or a resident. I am not going to do all these three.”
“I never aspired to be the president, will never become a dissident and will never be confined to the residencewill never become a dissident and will never be confined to the residence. I would be moving around, going around, meeting you all, greeting you all and talking to you on larger issues.”
“I would not get into politics. We are all working on our way, we are not enemies, we are rivals,” Naidu said.