Kharge slams Dhankhar, says Rajya Sabha Chairman acting like govt spokesperson
A day after giving a notice in the Rajya Sabha for a motion to remove the Vice-President and chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, the joint Opposition on Wednesday alleged the latter was the biggest reason behind disruptions of the House and was acting like a spokesperson of the government.
“Biggest reason for disruptions in Rajya Sabha is chairman himself. He's working as government spokesperson,” said Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge at a joint press conference by INDIA bloc leaders.
Kharge said the position of Vice-President was the second highest constitutional position in the country.
“Till now resolution for removal of Vice-President has never been brought because all the past incumbents have never been political. But today we are forced to say politics is being played in Parliament. We are disappointed that in the 75th year of independence, biased behaviour has forced us to bring a no-confidence motion,” Kharge said.
He alleged that the Vice-President sometimes praises the government, sometimes calls himself 'Eklavya of RSS’, makes objectionable comments on leaders and schools them. There have been eminent personalities from different fields, whom he schools.
“I want to say that the chairman does not allow discussion on Opposition's issues in a planned manner. We feel that he has become the spokesperson of the government. The biggest reason for disruptions in the Parliament is the Chairman,” Kharge said at a joint conference by INDIA bloc leaders.
Kharge said Dhankhar’s conduct had harmed the country's dignity.
“We have nothing against RS chairman, but he left us with no option but to go ahead with notice for his removal. Since 1952, no resolution has been brought under Article 67 as V-P never indulged in politics. But now politics has taken precedence over rules in RS and the chairman has indulged in partisan behaviour,” alleged Kharge.
He said the chairman acts like a school headmaster, gives sermons to experienced Opposition leaders and stops them from speaking.
On Tuesday, the Opposition members from the Rajya Sabha submitted a notice to bring a motion of no-confidence against the House chairman.
The government has called the notice a ploy to distract from the issue of alleged links between Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Hungarian-American businessman George Soros.
