Rajya Sabha Chairman Is Like An Umpire Who Should Act Impartially: Mallikarjun Kharge

New Delhi, December 13: Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge today reiterated his charge that the opposition members were not being allowed to speak in the House.

In an informal interaction with reporters, Kharge observed that the Chairman is like an umpire who should act in an impartial manner. But, he added, he was feeling sad that the government and the chair did not want the opposition to speak.

He said the opposition members wanted to raise the issues of public concern and seek their resolution.

Kharge said it was unprecedented that the members of the ruling party were disrupting the House and going towards its well with a clear intention to get the House adjourned.

He said, while the ruling party members get ample time to speak even when they flout all the norms, the opposition members are not allowed to speak even when they follow all the rules and regulations.

Referring to himself, he said, while the Leader of the House, JP Nadda of the ruling party gets enough time to speak, he (Kharge) does not even get two minutes. Moreover, he added, whenever he stands up to speak, his mike is switched off.

Kharge observed that the Chairman was trying to vent his ire on him (Kharge), while it was all the floor leaders of the House who had signed the resolution (seeking his removal).

“But I will not be intimidated by all this and I will keep on fighting for my dignity as we have been fighting for years”, the Leader of the Opposition asserted, while alleging that it was grave injustice with him.

He asked what the Chairman sought to convey by repeatedly saying that he is a farmer’s son. He said, there are others in the House who are also sons of farmers and labourers and have worked their way very hard to reach the position they are at.

Replying to another question that a narrative was being created that the opposition was disrupting the House, Kharge pointed out, the government has control over the media and the television (Sansad TV). He disclosed that sometimes people ask him whether he had attended the House, as his face is never shown on the television.

He said, as long as the opposition does not get its due, it will keep on fighting and won’t get intimidated.