New Delhi: The Opposition is exploring the option of moving an impeachment motion to remove Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar over his conduct as the chairman of Rajya Sabha, a significant development that caps the rising acrimony between the INDIA bloc MPs and Dhankhar in the Upper House, according to sources.
That the opposition camp is considering the move surfaced on a day the Parliament was adjourned a day before schedule, a move that drew criticism from several Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties, including the Congress. Till the very last minute, however, both sides were openly displaying hostility with the Opposition staging a walkout.
One INDIA bloc MP said that the Opposition had already sounded out to Rajya Sabha Leader of the House J.P. Nadda that an impeachment motion against Dhankhar was being explored. However, sources said, there was no consensus on when the notice to move the impeachment motion was to be submitted.
The Opposition’s resentment against Dhankhar boiled over Friday following sharp exchanges with the INDIA bloc MPs, including Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan, who questioned the chairman’s “tone” when talking to them.
It is learnt that at least 60 of the 87 Opposition MPs in the Upper House have already consented to move the motion against Dhankhar.
One INDIA bloc MP told ThePrint that there had been no decision yet on whether the floor leaders of the parties would also sign the impeachment notice.
According to the Constitution of India, the vice president, who is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha, “may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Council of States passed by a majority of all the then members of the Council and agreed to by the House of the People”.
“No resolution for the purpose of this clause shall be moved unless at least fourteen days’ notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution,” according to Article 67 of the Constitution.
On Friday, Bachchan and other opposition MPs clashed with Dhakhar in the House over remarks made by BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari on the floor of the Rajya Sabha a day earlier.
Dhankhar termed it an attempt by the Opposition to “destabilise the nation” and “create chaos in the House”. He added that he has his “own script” and is not operated by others.
During the day, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh demanded an apology from Dhankhar, accusing him of insulting opposition MPs every day and not allowing them to speak.
Jaya Bachchan told reporters outside the House, “I objected to the tone used by the Chair. We are not schoolchildren and some of us are senior citizens. I was upset with the tone and especially when the LoP (Kharge) stood up to speak, he (Dhankhar) switched off the mic. How can you do this? This is against tradition.”
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
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The likes of Ms. Jaya Bachhan and Mr. Derek O’Brien have held the Rajya Sabha hostage with their shenanigans. The ill-mannered and uncouth conduct of such MPs have been a blot on the Rajya Sabha proceedings.
Unfortunately, Mr. Dhankhar has been far too biased towards the NDA. His partisan conduct too is partly responsible for the sorry state of affairs in the Rajya Sabha.