Lose weight, increase that of Congress: Naidu to Renuka in RS

In a jocular vein, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu today asked Congress member Renuka Chowdhury to lose weight and make efforts to increase the weight of her party.

The remarks evoked peals of laughter in the House, which witnessed several light moments during the farewell speeches of retiring members who are about to complete their tenure.

"He (Naidu) knows me from many kilos before. Sir, many people worry about my weight but in this job, you need to throw your weight around," Chowdhury said in her farewell speech.

To this, Naidu wittily responded, saying "My simple suggestion is, reduce your weight and make efforts to increase the weight of the party". The reparte led to peals of laughter in the House.

In another such moment, Chowdhury recalled that during her political journey in the Upper House, she was fortunate for being "the entire Opposition's united candidate to contest against Najma Heptullah for the Deputy Chair here".

This led Naidu immediately quip: "That would have solved many problems."