Winter session| Mallikarjun Kharge wishes new Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the Rajya Sabha on the first day of the parliament's winter session. He spoke on a number of issues but began by welcoming new Rajya Sabha chairman Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Jagdeep Dhankhar who was elected Vice-President in August 2022, was welcomed by Kharge who said, 'I congratulate you on behalf of the members of opposition for taking responsibility as the Upper House's Chairman.'

The opposition leader further added, 'Though I have met and congratulated you already, I want to welcome you to the Rajya Sabha as the Speaker.'

'I will not repeat what the Prime Minister already said about your work but I would like to add that the the seat you occupy has earlier been filled by great personalities of our country. You too come from humble beginnings to the second highest constitutional post of India, and rather than a farmer's son, you are a son of the soil.'

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Describing his list of achievements, Kharge echoed PM Modi, 'VP Dhankhar has a great understanding of the parliamentary affairs.'

Kharge continued his address and said, 'In India, the constitution is accorded the upmost respect and both Houses of the parliament are incomplete without each other.'

He called the Upper House of the Parliament a 'chamber of ideas' saying, 'Rajya Sabha has given strength to the tradition of debate in the Parliament. Despite being a centre of different ideologies the common aim is the prosperity of the country. Everybody wants that serious discussion takes place on issues of the people and a solution is achieved.'

In a light gesture, Kharge shared an Urdu couplet in the House that brought smiles to the faces of the parliamentarians, 'Don't form an opinion on me Ghalib, my time will change and so as your opinion.'

Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar to officiate on the Chair of Rajya Sabha on the first day of the Parliament winter session on Wednesday.

with ANI inputs