New Delhi: Congress President and Opposition leader in the Rajyasabha Mallikarjun Kharge has on Wednesday accused Chairman of the Upper House and Vice president of India Jagdeep Dhankar for behaving “as a spokesperson for the ruling party.” Addressing the media regarding the Opposition resolution to remove Dhankar from the Chair, the Congress chief said, “I am very sad to say that the Chairman left us no option, but to go-ahead with this notice (for the removal of Dhankar).
Accusing the Vice President of India of behaving like the spokesperson of the government the Opposition leader said, “For the last 3 years, rather than providing time and space for Opposition members to raise critical issues, the Chairman has resorted to schooling senior leaders, speaking down to them like a headmaster as though they were students in a classroom. He never misses an opportunity to insult Opposition leaders whether they are senior or junior. There are a lot of members who have got more experience than others, but unfortunately, he (Chairman) acts as the advocate of the ruling party. He always tries to insult the opposition leaders.”
The Congress leader further accused that Dhankar never missed any opportunity to denigrate in public the Opposition leaders . “For the first time in our history, we have a Vice President who openly criticizes Opposition parties in public forums and behaves as a spokesperson for the ruling party, sometimes even outperforming them in their role.” According to Kharge , as Chairman of the Upper House Dhankar “ frequently interrupts proceedings, routinely denying the Opposition the opportunity to present their views in the House.” The Opposition leader said that as the custodian of the House and the protector of the rights of every Member,” the Chairman is expected to rise above politics, seek consensus, and ensure that the voices of all members and parties are heard.”
“His conduct of the House on 9th and 10th December, and today 11th December, 2024, was particularly troubling, as it was marked by blatant partisanship and a total lack of fairness. The Chairman openly encourages and provokes the Treasury Benches to make outrageous remarks against the Opposition, undermining the dignity of the House,” Kharge accused
Castigating the Chairman for disrupting the Opposition members, including the LoP in the House while they rise to question the government deeds Kharge said the action of the Vice President as Chair “is not just a breach of protocol but a betrayal of the Constitution and the people of India.” He said that the notice of motion for removal of the Vice President “is not about personal grievances or political battles” and was filed after “thorough consideration and deliberation, with the sole purpose of safeguarding the Constitution and protecting the integrity of our parliamentary democracy.”
In fact, this is the first time in the history of Independent India a no confidence motion is initiated against the Chairman of the Upper House.
