NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha on Friday witnessed a tense situation when the opposition walked out following a heated exchange with Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The tussle arose after Kharge requested the chairman to expunge Tiwari’s comments regarding his political journey, specifically mentioning that Congress president’s “entire family was involved in politics.”
Ahead of the zero hour, Dhankhar reprimanded Congress MP Jairam Ramesh for speaking without the Chair’s permission when the leader demanded Dhankhar’s ruling on the remark made about Kharge.Dhankhar stated that Tiwari had not transgressed but rather praised Kharge’s well-deserved reputation.
“Opposition in the highest of traditions, and expressing to me that he is prepared to apologize if he has transgressed in any manner. I have read it carefully. Not only was there no transgression by Ghanshyam Tiwari, he embellished the well deserved reputation of Mallikarjun Kharge,” Rajya Sabha Chairman said.
“If a member of this house with about four decades of parliamentary experience praises another member with five decades of experience, it’s a joyous moment for us,” he added.
Dhankhar also had a confrontation with Jaya Bachchan after she questioned his “tone” in Parliament.
Bachchan expressed her disapproval, saying, “I Jaya Amitabh Bachchan would like to say that I am an artist, I understand body language, expressions. I am sorry to say that your tone is not acceptable. We are colleagues, you may be sitting on the Chair….” Dhankhar interrupted Bachchan and urged her to take her seat, emphasizing the importance of decorum.
As the opposition MPs walked out, the Chairman referred to the anniversary of the Quit India movement and accused the Opposition of quitting parliament and their duty. Leader of House JP Nadda moved a “ninda prastav” over the behavior of the Opposition in the House, deeming it improper and condemnable.
Dhankhar also accused opposition MPs of disrespecting the Constitution and democracy and not committing to nationalism.
Speaking to reporters after the walkout, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused Dhankhar of disrespecting the leader of opposition, stating that Tiwari had repeatedly insulted Kharge in the House.
“Time and again Ganshaym Tiwari has openly insulted LoP in the House. Today, it was said that Ghanshaym Tiwari came, to meet with the chair (Chairman of Rajya Sabha), and praised Mallikarjun Kharge. We demanded that what he has said to the chair in person should also be spoken in the House… He (RS Chairman) kept interrupting me time and again, I have no issue with that but the LoP has been disrespected and a constitutional post has been demeaned,” Ramesh said.
The tussle arose after Kharge requested the chairman to expunge Tiwari’s comments regarding his political journey, specifically mentioning that Congress president’s “entire family was involved in politics.”
Ahead of the zero hour, Dhankhar reprimanded Congress MP Jairam Ramesh for speaking without the Chair’s permission when the leader demanded Dhankhar’s ruling on the remark made about Kharge.Dhankhar stated that Tiwari had not transgressed but rather praised Kharge’s well-deserved reputation.
“Opposition in the highest of traditions, and expressing to me that he is prepared to apologize if he has transgressed in any manner. I have read it carefully. Not only was there no transgression by Ghanshyam Tiwari, he embellished the well deserved reputation of Mallikarjun Kharge,” Rajya Sabha Chairman said.
“If a member of this house with about four decades of parliamentary experience praises another member with five decades of experience, it’s a joyous moment for us,” he added.
Dhankhar also had a confrontation with Jaya Bachchan after she questioned his “tone” in Parliament.
Bachchan expressed her disapproval, saying, “I Jaya Amitabh Bachchan would like to say that I am an artist, I understand body language, expressions. I am sorry to say that your tone is not acceptable. We are colleagues, you may be sitting on the Chair….” Dhankhar interrupted Bachchan and urged her to take her seat, emphasizing the importance of decorum.
As the opposition MPs walked out, the Chairman referred to the anniversary of the Quit India movement and accused the Opposition of quitting parliament and their duty. Leader of House JP Nadda moved a “ninda prastav” over the behavior of the Opposition in the House, deeming it improper and condemnable.
Dhankhar also accused opposition MPs of disrespecting the Constitution and democracy and not committing to nationalism.
Speaking to reporters after the walkout, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused Dhankhar of disrespecting the leader of opposition, stating that Tiwari had repeatedly insulted Kharge in the House.
“Time and again Ganshaym Tiwari has openly insulted LoP in the House. Today, it was said that Ghanshaym Tiwari came, to meet with the chair (Chairman of Rajya Sabha), and praised Mallikarjun Kharge. We demanded that what he has said to the chair in person should also be spoken in the House… He (RS Chairman) kept interrupting me time and again, I have no issue with that but the LoP has been disrespected and a constitutional post has been demeaned,” Ramesh said.