NEW DELHI: Leaders from the INDIA bloc on Wednesday criticised Rajya Sabha chairman and vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of displaying a “partisan” attitude. This comes a day after the bloc submitted a no-confidence motion against him.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, in a press briefing, launched a scathing attack, likening the Parliament proceedings to a “circus” under Dhankhar’s chairmanship. “I have never seen such a terrible situation before, and our Chairman Sahib enjoys, enjoys. He is not running the Parliament, he is running a circus,” said Raut.
Drawing comparisons with previous Rajya Sabha chairpersons, Raut said, “I have been in the House for almost 22 years and have seen almost four chairmen. There was Bhairon Singh Shekhawat ji, there was Hamid Ansari ji, but the situation I am seeing today, I have never seen such a terrible situation before.”
LIVE: Leaders of all INDIA parties in the Rajya Sabha address a press conference in New Delhi.
Raut accused Dhankhar of prioritising his speeches over parliamentary proceedings and fostering disruption. “First of all, after the commencement of the House, he himself eats about 40 minutes while giving his lecture and later on, he spends the time encouraging people to riot in front of us. We have a wonderful history, but this Chairman is responsible for destroying it,” he added.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also led the INDIA bloc’s offensive, accusing Dhankhar of acting as a government spokesperson. Speaking to reporters, Kharge said, “Since 1952, no resolution has been brought under Article 67 as the vice president has never indulged in politics. Currently, the House is being run by politics, not rules, and the chairman has indulged in partisan behaviour.”
Kharge went on to accuse Dhankhar of stifling opposition voices. “The chairman acts like a school headmaster, giving ‘pravachan’ (sermons) to experienced opposition leaders, stopping them from speaking. The biggest reason for disruptions in Rajya Sabha is the chairman himself. He is working as a government spokesperson to get his next promotion,” he said.
LIVE: Leaders of all INDIA parties in the Rajya Sabha address a press conference in New Delhi.
Defending the no-confidence motion, Kharge said, “We are fed up with the RS chairman’s behaviour and partiality. That is why we gave notice for his removal.”
The motion, however, is unlikely to pass as the INDIA bloc does not hold a majority in either House of Parliament.
Meanwhile, the NDA dismissed the move as politically motivated. Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the no-trust motion and said, “The opposition disrespects the dignity of the Chair, be it in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar ji comes from a humble background and always speaks about people’s welfare inside and outside Parliament. We respect him. I condemn the actions of the 60 MPs who signed this notice.”
Rijiju reiterated that the NDA has full faith in Dhankhar’s leadership stressing the coalition majority.