March 31, 2022
Derek O’Brien pays tribute to the 72 retiring Rajya Sabha MPs on behalf of Trinamool Congress
Sir, I will keep it very short today, because today is the day of 72 MPs, who are retiring. So, Sir, this message
from me is to those 72 MPs. I will tell my grandchildren that I was in Parliament and when I was in Parliament, two former Prime Ministers used to sit here; Dr. Manmohan Singh and Mr. H. D. Devegowda, and Mr. Narendra Modi was the Prime Minister. I will tell my grandchildren, when I was in Parliament, I saw a world boxing champion, practising fun boxing moves with two or three male MPs who got nervous seeing boxing moves. I will tell my grandchildren, when I was in Parliament, I took a ferry car service with another MP and when I got off at home, I realised that I did not have Rs. 10 to pay for the ferry. So, I borrowed the money from the MP of a party whose ideology I hated. I will tell my grandchildren, these 72 MPs will say, when I was in Parliament, they passed the Farmers’ Bill. But, today we are not going there because today is a solemn occasion. I will tell my grandchildren, when I was in Parliament, there was a Central Hall there where we would sip coffee, eat toast and also had lots of gossip. I will tell my grandchildren that in one sunny morning of March can you spot me in that group photograph? And then the grandchild will say, ‘dada, is that you? You were so young at that time.’ Thank you, Sir, and God bless to every Member who is retiring today.
