Prime Minister Narendra Modi while bidding farewell to Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad got emotional Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

"The person who will replace Ghulam Nabi ji will have striving matching his work because he was not only concerned about his party but also about the nation and the House," PM Modi said.

He added, “We bid farewell to Rajya Sabha MPs who have played an important role in the proceedings of the House. I recall my many interactions with Shri Nazir Ahmed Laway and Mohammad Fayaz. Their passion towards Jammu and Kashmir’s development is notable.” PM Modi also paid tributes to former President Pranab Mukherjee who passed away last year.

In June 2014, Ghulam Nabi Azad was appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha after the BJP-led NDA formed the government. Next year, he got re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir constituency, regardless of the PDP-BJP association holding a number of seats in the Legislative Assembly. He was also honoured with the "Outstanding Parliamentarian Award" that year.

While concluding his address, PM Modi also said, “I would not let you retire, will continue taking your advice. My doors are always open for you.”

Meanwhile, the senior Congress leader is likely to be nominated from Kerala in April. Three members from the southern state who are retiring are senior Congress leader Vayalar Ravi, Muslim League’s Abdul Wahab and CPI(M)’s KK Ragesh.