Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda takes oath as Rajya Sabha member

Former Indian Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Sunday took oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha. The 87-year-old senior politician was elected for Rajya Sabha from Karanataka this June. This is the first time since 1996 that the senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader has been elected to the Upper House. 

Gowda took the oath in Kannada and greeted the chair with folded hands. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said that he is a “good addition to our House”.

“Former prime minister and one of the senior-most leaders of our country has come to our house,” he said.

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Gowda was the 11th prime minister of India from June 1, 1996 to April 21, 1997. He was previously the 14th chief minister of Karnataka from 1994 to 1996.