No-Confidence Motion Against VP Dismissed: ‘Name Not Correctly Spelt’, ‘Bereft of Facts’, ‘Publicity’
In a detailed ruling, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha dismissed the no-confidence motion submitted against Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar by the Opposition in the Parliament, citing severe procedural and factual flaws. The motion, purportedly signed by 60 members of the opposition coalition INDIA, was found lacking in substance and adherence to constitutional requirements.
The Vice-President, who also serves as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, became the subject of a removal notice under Article 67(b) of the Constitution. However, the Deputy Chairman ruled the motion inadmissible, pointing to the absence of proper notice and numerous discrepancies in its submission.
“The communication dated 10th December 2024 purportedly seeking consideration under Article 67(b) was bereft of basic requirements,” read the ruling. “The Vice-President’s name was not correctly spelt, and the petition lacked essential elements, including a resolution text and authenticated evidence.”
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Article 67(b) mandates a 14-day prior notice for any resolution seeking the removal of the Vice-President. The ruling clarified that the notice, received on December 10, would only permit a resolution after December 24. The current session of the Rajya Sabha, however, is scheduled to end on December 20, making the motion’s consideration during this session procedurally impossible.
The Deputy Chairman further noted that the notice was “severely flawed” and “lacked bona fides,” emphasising that it appeared to be a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Vice-President. “It is worrisome that the notice replete with inaccuracies was aimed at maligning the incumbent Vice-President, the first from the agricultural community to hold this high office in independent India’s history,” the statement added.
The ruling alleged that the motion’s submission was accompanied by a high-profile media campaign led by the opposition Indian National Congress (INC), and it mentioned a televised press conference on December 12 by INC leaders alleged inaction on the motion and criticised the Vice-President’s conduct. The Deputy Chairman’s statement dismissed “these efforts” as part of a coordinated strategy to “set afloat a narrative” against the constitutional authority.
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“The prejudicial intent of orchestrating a media campaign, including statements by opposition leaders, was evident. The effort seemed aimed at garnering publicity rather than respecting parliamentary decorum,” the ruling stated.
The ruling drew parallels with a similar notice submitted in September 2020 for the removal of the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, which was rejected by then-Chairman Venkaiah Naidu. “As per Article 90(c) of the Constitution, a notice period of 14 days is required for such resolutions. Failure to adhere to this makes the motion inadmissible,” the Deputy Chairman noted.
The opposition’s initiative was described as an effort to send a “strong message” to protect parliamentary democracy. However, the lack of requisite numbers in the 243-member Rajya Sabha made the motion’s success unlikely from the outset.
“In view of the above,” concluded the Deputy Chairman, “the notice is held as an act of impropriety, drawn in haste and aimed at damaging the constitutional institution. The same is hereby dismissed.”
