VP Jagdeep Dhankar Biggest Disruptor In Rajya Sabha: Kharge
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday called Rajya Sabha Chair Jagdeep Dhankar the “biggest disruptor” of the Upper House. He said that the opposition was forced to table a no-confidence motion against him for being partial towards the government.
Leading the INDIA alliance charge against Dhankar, Kharge said that the Rajya Sabha was “being run by politics, not rules.” He accused the Rajya Sabha chairman of indulging in “partisan behaviour.”
“He is working as a spokesperson for the government for his next promotion. I have no hesitation in saying that the biggest disruptor in Rajya Sabha is the Chairman himself,” stated Kharge.
The congress chief further accused Dhankar of targeting the opposition leaders and not giving them a chance to speak while praising the government. “The chairman acts like school headmaster, giving ‘pravachan’ (sermons) to experienced opposition leaders, stopping them from speaking.”
“We expect protection from the Chairperson… but he keeps gesturing to ruling party MPs to speak. Who will listen to the opposition when the Chair himself defends the government?” asked Kharge.
Meanwhile, both Houses were adjourned after the motion, filed on Tuesday, triggered both the ruling and opposition parties fired at each other.
The INDIA bloc’s members have submitted a no-confidence motion to remove Dhankar from his position as Rajya Sabha chairman. Notably, since the alliance does not have a majority in either of the Houses, the motion is likely to fail.
NDA leaders called the move “politically motivated.” Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the opposition of disrespecting the dignity of the Chair in both Lok and Rajya Sabha. Condemning their move, Rijiju reaffirmed his faith in the Chairman and said, “We will protect.”
Although the opposition and the Rajya Sabha chairman have had several face-offs during his tenure, the recent uproar was triggered after the BJP alleged Sonia Gandhi and US billionaire George Soros.
