Indian PM Modi lauds predecessor Manmohan Singh in Rajya Sabha during farewell of retiring members

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (Feb 8) while bidding farewell to members retiring from the Rajya Sabha, lauded his predecessor Manmohan Singh's "immense contribution" to the House.

"I wish to remember Dr Manmohan Singh today, his contribution in the House, with his invaluable thoughts, both as a leader and in the opposition has been immense. For such a long time, the way he has guided this House and country, Dr Manmohan Singh will always be remembered for it," PM Modi said during his speech in the upper house.

"It doesn't matter who he was supporting, I believe that he was supporting our democracy," he said.

He then recalled how Singh had arrived in a wheelchair to cast his vote on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

"Dr Manmohan Singh ji came to the parliament in a wheelchair. How conscious he is of his responsibilities, not only this, I was watching, whenever committee elections were held, he came to vote, the question is not to whom he came to give strength, I believe, to give strength to democracy," the Indian prime minister said in his speech.

'Kaala teeka'

During his speech, PM Modi also took a sarcastic jibe at the Congress party over the release of the 'Black Paper' which the grand old party claimed would highlight the failures of the ruling BJP government.

Thanking the Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for coming out with the paper, the Indian prime minister dubbed it as "kaala teeka" (to ward off the evil eye) amid the good work being done by his government.

"When a child gets ready for some good occasion by wearing some nice clothes, then a family member says to go after applying a Kaala Teeka, to ward off an evil eye. Today, as the country is touching new heights of prosperity over the last ten years, an attempt has been made today to put a Kaala Teeka, so that no one can cast an evil eye on it. I thank Kharge Ji a lot for (bringing a Black Paper)," PM Modi said.

Modi also referred to black robes worn by opposition MPs in the House as a mark of protest and said, "We also saw a fashion parade in the Rajya Sabha when some members came in black clothes."

The retiring members of the Rajya Sabha will attend an event at Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar's residence in New Delhi on Thursday evening.

(With inputs from agencies)