NEW DELHI: Ruckus erupted in Rajya Sabha on Friday over no-confidence motion against chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Friday session saw heated exchanges between ruling and opposition members.
After INDIA bloc initiated the motion, alleging Dhankhar to be ‘extremely partisan,’ NDA MPs accused Congress leaders of insulting the vice president by highlighting his background. “I am a farmer’s son, I will not show weakness. I will sacrifice my life for my country. You (opposition) have only one job 24 hours a day, why is a farmer’s son sitting here…look what you are saying. I have tolerated a lot. You have the right to bring a motion but you are insulting the Constitution.”
Amid the commotion, Congress president and leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the chair, claiming unequal speaking time allocation. Kharge said, “You are encouraging the (BJP) members to speak against members of other parties. I am also a son of farmer. I have faced more challenges than you. You are insulting our party leaders, you are insulting the Congress. We have not come here to listen to your praises, we have come here for discussion.”
Responding to Kharge, Dhankhar said, “The whole world knows whose praises you like. It is important that the House should function.” Dhankhar then invited Kharge and leader of the house JP Nadda to a meeting in his chamber to resolve the impasse.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned until December 16 following disruptions related to the no-confidence motion against Dhankhar, which was submitted by oppositiion parties on Tuesday to the secretary-general. INDIA bloc parties held a joint press conference and said they were forced to resort to the step to ‘safeguard the democracy and Constitution.’
The winter parliament session commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The winter session is scheduled to go on till December 20.