For the first time in India’s parliamentary history, a no-confidence motion has been moved against the Rajya Sabha Chairperson. The Congress-led INDIA bloc on Tuesday moved a motion to remove RS Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of “bias and partisan functioning”.
The Opposition claimed that Dhankhar favoured the ruling party during House proceedings and stifled their voice.
Sources to CNN News18 said that all opposition parties, including the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Akhilesh Yadav headed Samajwadi Party (SP), have signed the motion, which was moved under Article 67(B) of the Constitution.
TMC has claimed that a total of 71 MPs have signed the no-confidence motion against Dhankhar.
DMK and RJD have lawmakers have also reportedly signed the motion that has been submitted to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.
The Opposition MPs expressed growing dissatisfaction with Dhankhar’s handling of Rajya Sabha proceedings, and claimed that there were frequent interruptions during their speeches.
They even alleged of not getting adequate debate on critical issues, and the RS Chairman’s favouritism toward the ruling BJP during contentious discussions.
The move comes after a turbulent session in the Rajya Sabha on December 9, where proceedings were disrupted several times amid a heated exchange between the BJP and Opposition benches.
On Tuesday (December 10) too the Rajya Sabha witnessed continuous disruptions and was adjourned within hours, as the BJP again accused the Congress of colluding with billionaire investor George Soros to “harm” the country.
A report by PTI said that the opposition parties had gathered the required signatures for moving the no-confidence motion in August, but refrained from acting, hoping to give Dhankhar “another chance.”
However, the Rajya Sabha Chairman’s conduct in the House on Monday reportedly pushed them to proceed with the move.
As per Article 67 of the Indian Constitution, the Vice President can only be removed from office when both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha have passed the motion with majorities.
A resolution will require a majority vote in the Rajya Sabha, with subsequent agreement from the Lok Sabha, and must be preceded by at least 14 days’ notice.
The motion is, however, expected to be defeated given the numbers are stacked in the Rajya Sabha.
With inputs from agencies.
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