Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi takes oath as Rajya Sabha MP amid protests

NEW DELHI: Former Supreme Court of India Chief Justice (retired) Ranjan Gogoi took oath as Rajya Sabha member on Thursday amid protest by members of the Congress and a few other political parties. After taking oath, Justice Gogoi accepted greetings of all the members present in the House saying “namaste” with folded hands.

As soon as the Chairman of the House, M Venkaiah Naidu made the announcement for the swearing-in to begin for Gogoi as nominated member, Congress, DMK, CPM and IUML others stood up at their places and shouted slogans.

Congress leader Anand Sharma and Jairam Ramesh started shouting slogans and even yelled over the announcement being made. It was thereafter followed by other members.

When Justice (retired) Gogoi walked toward the Well of the House, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram shouted slogans and started moving out of the House which was followed by other Congress members. The DMK, CPM and IUML members also joined.

While Gogoi was taking oath, the House reverberated with protest slogans but it felt silent when Congress, DMK, CPM and IUML members walked out.

Then House Chairman Naidu said: “This is not done..it is unfair... very unfair.”

Naidu said: “We all are in constitutional position. We know the precedents. We know the powers of the President of India and we should not do anything in the House. Whatever views you have you can say outside the House. It is your liberty.”

Just before the House started, Gogoi along with his wife, entered and greeted every member present in the House. But Chidambaram and Jairam Ramesh ignored his greetings.

When Gogoi greeted Ravi Shankar Prasad with “Namaste”, the Law Minister said: “Welcome Gogoiji.” (IANS)

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