The Rajya Sabha on Monday witnessed a heated exchange between Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and JP Nadda over the circumstances surrounding former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden exit.
Kharge rose to welcome CP Radhakrishnan on assuming charge as the new Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, saying:
“I rise today, on my own behalf and on behalf of all Opposition members, to heartily congratulate you on assuming the office of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha…”
He then referred to Dhankhar’s unexpected resignation, calling it “unprecedented.” Kharge added that members were denied an opportunity to formally bid farewell to him.
“I hope you will not mind that I am constrained to refer to your predecessor’s completely unexpected and sudden exit from the office of Chairman, Rajya Sabha… I was disheartened that the House did not get an opportunity to bid him a farewell,” he said.
Rijiju hits back, accuses Congress of ‘insulting’ Dhankhar
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly objected to Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks, accusing the Congress of previously using harsh and disrespectful language against former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
“Why did the LoP raise an issue that was not necessary at this moment? Kharge ji, your LoP in the Lok Sabha and Jairam Ramesh’s actions—I don’t want to mention them here. In a democracy, we should respect each other,” Rijiju said.
He added, “Had he not deviated from the subject, I would not have needed to respond. Have you forgotten the language you used for the former Vice President and the insult you caused him? The removal motion against him is still with us.”
He urged members to avoid unnecessary references on what he called a “solemn occasion.”
JP Nadda calls Kharge’s remarks ‘irrelevant’
Leader of the House JP Nadda also criticised Mallikarjun Kharge’s intervention, saying the felicitation ceremony should not be overshadowed by political disputes.
“If we start discussing the issue that our Leader of the Opposition brought up today… I think it’s irrelevant,” Nadda said.
He pointed out that the Opposition had moved no-confidence motions twice against former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
“The defeat in Bihar, Haryana, and Maharashtra has caused you considerable pain. But you should express your pain and suffering to a doctor,” he added.
Kharge invokes first President, stresses need for fair Opposition
Addressing the House, Mallikarjun Kharge quoted former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan to highlight the importance of a strong and free Opposition in a democracy.
“A democracy is likely to degenerate into a tyranny if it does not allow the opposition groups to criticise fairly, freely and frankly the policies of the government,” he said.
Kharge also urged the new Chairman to remain balanced.
“I urge you not to look too much on that side (the Treasury)… but not looking at this side (the Opposition) is also dangerous.”
He concluded by expressing confidence in the Chair’s impartiality:
“We are confident that you will be impartial and treat the Opposition and the Treasury benches equally.”
