NEW DELHI: Leading the INDIA bloc charge against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday accused the Rajya Sabha chairman of being partial towards the government and said the House was “being run by politics, not rules”.
“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 said while talking about the recent no-trust motion moved against Dhankhar.
“Rajya Sabha chairman’s conduct has been contrary to post’s dignity. He has targeted the opposition leaders, not giving them chance to speak while often praising the government,” Kharge said.
Talking about Rajya Sabha proceedings, the Congress chief said, “The chairman acts like school headmaster, giving ‘pravachan’ (sermons) to experienced opposition leaders, stopping them from speaking.”
“Biggest reason for disruptions in Rajya Sabha is the chairman himself. He is working as a government spokesperson to get his next promotion,” Kharge said in an all-out attack.
Defending the move of no-confidence motion against Dhankhar, Kharge said, “Rajya Sabha chairman’s conduct in House has harmed country’s dignity. We are fed up with RS chairman’s behaviour, partiality. That is why we gave notice for his removal.”
The members of the INDIA bloc have submitted a notice for a motion to remove Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The move is unlikely to succeed because the INDIA bloc does not have a majority in either House.
Meanwhile, NDA leaders have termed the exercise “politically motivated”.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday slammed Congress over the no-trust motion and said that if the opposition attacks the dignity of the Chairman, “we will protect”.
“The opposition disrespects the dignity of the Chair, be it in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha. The Congress party and its allies have consistently disregarded the Chair’s directions. 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. NDA has the majority, and we all have faith in the Chairman,” said Rijiju.