RS sees heated exchange as Kharge refers to Dhankhar's exit

As the Upper House welcomed its new Chairman -- Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan -- on Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the congratulatory remarks, Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated exchange between Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and JP Nadda.

The winter session is the first Parliament session that Radhakrishnan is presiding over as Chairman of the Upper House. In September, Radhakrishnan was elected as India's 15th Vice-President, a post that made him the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

"I congratulate you, and I am confident that every member of this House will honour its traditions and uphold your dignity as well. Politics has been only one part of your journey (Radhakrishnan) -- service to society has been your central mission from youth until now. Your personality reflects service, dedication, and patience,” Modi said.

Stating that Radhakrishnan displayed strong leadership qualities since his youth days, Modi said during the Emergency, he fought as a true soldier of democracy.

Following the remarks made by the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in his welcome address referred to Jagdeep Dhankhar’s “unexpected and sudden exit” from the office of the Chair of Rajya Sabha, which he said is unprecedented in the annals of parliamentary history. He added that he was disheartened that the House did not get the chance to bid farewell to Jagdeep Dhankhar.

This prompted uproar from the treasury benches who slammed Kharge for mentioning an unrelated event while welcoming Radhakrishnan as Chairman of the Upper House on the first day of the winter session.

"I am constrained to refer to your predecessor's unexpected and sudden exit from the office of Chairman, which is unprecedented in the annals of parliamentary history. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, as the custodian of the House, belongs as much to the Opposition as to the government," said Kharge.

The Congress leader also mentioned that Radhakrishnan is related to former three-term Lok Sabha MP CK Kuppuswamy, who was a member of the Congress.

"It is better if you keep a balance between both sides. I wish you a successful term... the background you come from was mentioned by the PM, but you should also not forget you are from a Congress family,” he said. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju slammed the Kharge for mentioning Dhankhar's resignation.

"Why did the Leader of Opposition refer to a case which was not necessary to be raised at this moment. The language you (Congress) used for the former Chairman, the way you insulted him, the motion you served, we still have that copy," Rijiju said.

Referring to the loss of Opposition in Bihar, Haryana and Maharashtra polls, Nadda advised Kharge to express the pain of losing polls to a “doctor”.

"This programme is a pious occasion. The issue that the Leader of Opposition raised is irrelevant. If we start discussing this we will also have to mention that you brought a no-confidence motion against him twice," Nadda said.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien urged the Chairman to hold a debate on the electoral roll revision exercise, stressing that he is the custodian of the council of states. As the Upper House welcomed Radhakrishnan on his first day of conducting the House proceedings, the TMC MP urged him to "keep federalism healthy".

With poetic verses transcending across party lines, AAP MP Raghav Chadha welcomed Radhakrishnan. “This House should feel like a family, not a battlefield. We hope the youngest voices, the newest members, will get more opportunities to speak and grow under your guidance," he said.