New Delhi: Every Indian “should be proud” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said Thursday, responding to remarks by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge who suggested that the Vice President not “defend” the prime minister.
“Our prime minister is not to be defended by me. He has come to be recognised on global platforms — Senate and Congress in the US,” Dhankhar said, referring to Modi’s official state visit to the US in June.
He went further to point a finger at the Opposition benches, asking them why they were “shirking from the hard reality” that “India is rising as never before” and that the “rise is unstoppable”.
Earlier in the day, with the Opposition showing an inclination to discuss the ethnic violence in Manipur in the Upper House, Dhankhar invited opposition leaders for tea to discuss modalities to break the deadlock between the treasury benches and the Opposition.
Following the discussion, Kharge said the Opposition has given notices for a discussion on Manipur under Rules 267 and 176. “But I don’t know why 267 has become a prestige issue. We have stated the reason for admitting 267 but I don’t know why you (Dhankhar) are defending the prime minister so much. We asked the PM to come (to the Upper House) and you did not agree to that also, sir, you don’t agree to a small request,” he said.
In response, Dhankhar said “India is rising as never before” and “everyone has contributed” to it. He added that after three decades of coalition governments at the Centre, he was “not required to defend anyone”.
“I am required to defend the Constitution. I am required to defend your rights,” he added.
Reacting to Kharge’s suggestion that the Vice President not defend the prime minister, Dhankhar said, “Where are we heading? You (Kharge) are entitled to a political stance. I am not a stakeholder in politics. I am not concerned with the politics of parties. I am concerned with governance. I am concerned with the growth of the country.”
Further, referring to remarks made by Congress MP P. Chidambaram, Dhankhar said that Members of Parliament can have different ideologies but no one can be allowed to “lower the stature of the prime minister of the world’s largest democracy”.
An MP from the Opposition benches told ThePrint on condition of anonymity, “A sense is emerging that we should discuss Manipur as the government hasn’t blinked and continues with its legislative business. The Lok Sabha is going to take up the no-confidence motion next week. We are entering into the last week of the Monsoon Session; we will have to tweak our strategy to demand a discussion on the violence in Manipur.”
Amit Shah to speak on Manipur in RS
On Wednesday, Dhankhar had responded to a demand by the Opposition that Modi speak on Manipur on the floor of the House by saying that he had in “categorical terms indicated very firmly” that as chairman he would be “violating” his oath were he to issue a “directive” to the prime minister to be present in the Upper House in line with the demand.
The vice president’s comments were preceded by Kharge’s submission that he had in a notice given to the chair for a discussion on Manipur under Rule 267 listed eight points to support his argument.
The government then went ahead with its legislative agenda amid protest by the Opposition in the din.
In the first sign of a shift in strategy on Manipur, the Opposition Thursday hinted at its inclination to discuss the ethnic violence in the Northeastern state without any further delay.
INDIA parties have offered a middle path solution to the Leader of the House to break the logjam and get a discussion on Manipur going in an uninterrupted manner in the Rajya Sabha. Hope the Modi government agrees.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 3, 2023
Soon after the Upper House was called into session Thursday, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien insisted that the chair initiate a discussion on Manipur. “Manipur is a sensitive issue which needs to be debated,” he said.
Leader of the House Piyush Goyal responded by saying that he would be “very happy” to have a discussion on Manipur. Parliament, he said, must “send out a message” to the people of Manipur that it is ready and willing to apply the healing touch.
From Day 1, the Government has been keen on a debate on Manipur & we stand with the people of the state. pic.twitter.com/Hikmf3wILZ
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) August 3, 2023
“From the first day, we have been showing our readiness for debate (on Manipur),” Goyal said, adding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would make the government’s case on the floor of the House and that he not be “disturbed” when addressing the Rajya Sabha.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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