#### Unprecedented Gathering at Constitution Club

A grand and unprecedented atmosphere was witnessed at the newly established and magnificent Constitution Club of Rajasthan during the Sneh Milan Samaroh (reunion ceremony) organized by the Progressive Forum (Former Legislators' Association). The event saw the presence of Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly Vasudev Devnani, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, Progressive Forum Patron Harimohan Sharma, Working President Jeetram Chaudhary, former Assembly Speakers Shantilal Chaplot and Deependra Singh Shekhawat, senior Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, along with several current and former MLAs and other dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, Vice President Dhankhar humorously noted that he, too, is a former legislator from Rajasthan—perhaps the most junior one, having served only one term. He fondly recalled the names of various past Assembly Speakers and paid tribute to former Chief Ministers Haridev Joshi and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, sharing insightful anecdotes from his political journey.

A packed auditorium witnessed a dynamic discussion on the politics of pressure. Both Vice President Dhankhar and Governor Bagde spoke candidly on the issue, reinforcing Assembly Speaker Devnani’s earlier public statement. The Vice President asserted firmly, “I neither work under pressure nor exert it. No one from Rajasthan succumbs to pressure. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla cannot be pressurized. A person raised on Rajasthan’s soil simply cannot bend under pressure.”

Dhankhar expressed concern over the current political climate, stating it was unhealthy for democracy. He emphasized that ruling parties and opposition alternate in a democracy, but that must not lead to enmity or deep divides. “Enemies may exist across borders, but within our nation, there should be none. The temperature of political rhetoric has become intolerable. When abroad, we are not opposition or ruling party; we are simply Indians. National interest must always transcend partisan lines.”

While speaking on international relations, he echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance that diplomacy, not war, is the path forward. He cited former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s statesmanship in sending Atal Bihari Vajpayee to represent India on an international stage, underscoring the primacy of national interest.

He cautioned against impulsive political debates, noting that unrest negatively impacts the economy. Reflecting on India's progress, he pointed out that in just over a decade, India has transitioned from being among the world’s fragile economies to ranking within the top four globally. “Look at who we’ve surpassed—Japan, Germany, the UK, Canada, Brazil. No other large country has progressed like India has in the last decade,” he added.

Emphasizing the role of the opposition in a healthy democracy, the Vice President reiterated, “Opposition is not an enemy. Expression, debate, and dialogue are the soul of democracy. When expression is suppressed, it loses its essence. To give meaning to free speech, meaningful debate is essential.”

Looking towards Viksit Bharat 2047, the Vice President highlighted the need for policy decisions centered on rural development and the welfare of farmers.

Prior to the event, Vice President Dhankhar, Governor Bagde, and Speaker Devnani participated in the symbolic plantation of saplings in pots under the initiative Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (One Tree in Mother’s Name). The program also included discussions on legislators’ pensions and various developmental issues.