The opposition is considering passing a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar after the end of the Parliament session, which was adjourned on Friday (August 9) but will end on Monday (August 12).
Ties between Dhankhar and the INDIA bloc party are getting stronger with sources saying they are considering sending a notice to move a resolution to remove the vice president from his office. However, there is no clarity on the technicalities of the move as the House is not in session.
According to sources, the timing of the announcement should be discussed and decided. Although the resolution cannot be passed because the opposition parties do not have the numbers to expel him, it will be a statement to highlight the chairman’s “blatantly and consistently partisan” approach, sources said.
Opposition sources said that 87 members have signed the proposal to initiate action against Dhankhar. A source said about two days ago, house leader JP Nadda was unofficially told that the opposition was considering submitting a motion to remove the vice president.
What are the concerns raised by the opposition?
Opposition parties have raised concerns including the opposition leader’s microphone being switched off repeatedly. He wants the House to run by rules and conventions and personal comments to members are not acceptable, the source said.
There was a lot of sparring between Dhankhar and the INDIA block party the previous day with the Congress accusing the chairman of acting in a “partisan” manner against the entire opposition. Soon after the opposition walked out of the Rajya Sabha led by Sonia Gandhi, the Congress held a press conference stating that it did not give the opposition any importance in the Upper House.
The walkout came after Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan and Dhankhar got into a heated exchange in the Upper House. “Main kalakar hoon, body language samajhti hoon, expression samajhti hoon… par sir, mujhe sorry kariyega magar apka tone jo hai is not acceptable. We are friends, sir, you can sit on the couch,” he said.
Dhankhar replied, “Jaya ji, you have earned a good reputation. You know, actors are subject to directors. You haven’t seen what I see from here. I don’t want to go to school. I am a person who has come out of the way, and you say my tone.” .. enough.
Nadda slammed the opposition and apologized to the opposition. After the walkout, Bachchan, flanked by Sonia Gandhi and other opposition leaders, told reporters that he objected to the tone used in the seat. “We are not school children. I am angry with the tone and, especially when LoP stands up to speak, the mic is turned off. How can you do this? If he will not be heard in the House, then what are we doing? Besides, every time ( he) used unparliamentary words,” he said.
What options are available?
Congress leader Ajay Maken said opposition parties felt that the chairman’s approach was partisan. “…Rajya Sabha is the House that sets the parameters for other legislatures. In the DPR, the Speaker should not be seen as partisan. Only the Congress does not feel that way, all the opposition parties feel that they are acting on one side,” he said.
Congress deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari alleged that leader of the opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to speak, he was frequently interrupted and his microphone was often switched off. “This is not about one party. Two or three days ago, Ghanshyam Tiwari used these words for the opposition leader, which is not true and insulting and unacceptable. We have given notice to the privilege movement. We want to know the verdict, the decision it hasn’t come yet, it has to be written,” he said.
Maken said: “All options are open, whatever is legal and in the rule book, whatever is in the Constitution, in the procedure of action, whatever the provisions are in the law, all options are open to us, we cannot remain silent spectators. when democracy is killed.”
How can the vice president be removed?
The vice president is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha and holds an important position in the parliamentary system by following the rules and conventions for the smooth functioning of the Upper House. He can only be removed as chairman when he is removed from the post of Vice President of India.
This can be done by a resolution of the Council of State (Rajya Sabha), passed by the majority of the members at that time and agreed to by the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Resolutions for this purpose can only be moved after at least 14 days’ notice.
Article 67(b) of the Constitution states: “The Vice President may be removed from office by a resolution of the Council of State (Rajya Sabha) approved by a majority of all members of the Council and concurred in by the House of the People; but no resolution for the purposes of this clause shall be moved unless at least fourteen days notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution.”
Here is the process:
- A resolution for its abolition can only be introduced in the Rajya Sabha, and not in the Lok Sabha.
- Resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days notice
- The resolution must be approved in the Rajya Sabha by an ‘effective majority’ (majority of the members of the Rajya Sabha at that time excluding vacant seats) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha by a ‘simple majority’
- While the resolution is being considered, the speaker cannot preside over the House. The person can be present, speak and participate in the process but cannot vote
- Unlike the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha can vote at the outset, although not in the case of a tie, when a resolution to remove him is under consideration.
(With PTI input)
