Kiren Rijiju condemns the INDIA bloc’s notice to remove Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of partisanship.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the opposition’s decision to submit a notice for the removal of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

He labeled the action “extremely regrettable” and asserted that the motion would not succeed due to the lack of numbers in the Rajya Sabha. Rijiju praised Dhankhar as a “knowledgeable person and a gentleman” who enjoys the confidence of the House.

For the first time, the INDIA bloc of opposition parties submitted a notice in Rajya Sabha to bring a motion seeking Dhankhar’s removal.

They accused him of exhibiting partisan behavior in his role as the Chairman of the Upper House. “We oppose this submission. It will be rejected,” Rijiju stated, affirming his belief in Dhankhar’s professionalism and impartiality.

Congress Accused of Political Distraction

Rijiju alleged that the Congress party initiated the motion to divert attention from controversies linked to US billionaire George Soros and organizations accused of anti-India activities. He dismissed the motion as an attempt to cover up the Congress’s “misdeeds.”

“This notice must be rejected and will be rejected,” Rijiju declared, emphasizing that it lacked merit.

He accused Congress and its allies of consistently disrespecting the Chair and ignoring directives from presiding officers.

“We are proud of Vice President Dhankhar,” he added, highlighting Dhankhar’s humble origins as a farmer’s son and the first member of the Jat community to hold the office.

Opposition Lacks Numbers for Passage

The INDIA bloc’s motion requires a simple majority in the 243-member Rajya Sabha, but their current strength falls short of the halfway mark of 116.

The bloc, comprising 85 MPs, can count on the support of Independent MP Kapil Sibal, but their combined numbers remain inadequate. In contrast, the ruling NDA holds 113 MPs, alongside the support of six nominated members and two Independents.

Opposition members, however, insist that the motion is symbolic, intended to “send a strong message in support of parliamentary democracy.”

Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Naseer Hussain submitted the notice, signed by 60 MPs, to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General.

Neutral Parties Stay Aloof

Parties unaffiliated with either the INDIA bloc or the NDA, such as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), have chosen to remain non-committal about their stance.

These parties collectively represent 19 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, and their support could be pivotal if the motion proceeds.

BJD leader Sasmit Patra clarified, “This is an INDIA-led initiative. The BJD is not an INDIA party. Therefore, it doesn’t concern us.” Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also refrained from confirming his party’s position, stating, “We are examining it.”

The YSRCP, with eight MPs, expressed its preference for cordial relations with the Vice President. “We maintain a cordial relationship with the Chairman,” said YSRCP MP Mithun Reddy.

The BRS, similarly, distanced itself from the motion, noting that it had not been formally approached by the INDIA bloc.

BRS leader K R Suresh Reddy remarked, “Running the House is not an easy task, but we felt there could have been more efforts to mediate between warring groups.”

Rijiju Defends Dhankhar’s Leadership

Union Minister Rijiju emphasized Dhankhar’s contributions to parliamentary proceedings and his dedication to farmers and marginalized communities. “We have immense respect for Jagdeep Dhankhar.

He is knowledgeable and has the majority’s trust,” Rijiju said. He argued that respecting the Chair’s decisions is vital for the smooth functioning of the House and accused the Congress and its allies of undermining this principle.

Rijiju also highlighted Dhankhar’s impartiality and professionalism, reaffirming that the majority of Rajya Sabha members stand firmly behind him.

He criticized the opposition’s tactics, labeling them as disruptive and detrimental to parliamentary decorum.

A Motion with Slim Chances

The INDIA bloc’s motion against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar represents a significant political move, but its success appears unlikely due to the opposition’s numerical disadvantage.

While the motion may not pass, it underscores tensions between the ruling and opposition parties and raises questions about the state of parliamentary democracy.

Neutral parties’ reluctance to engage further diminishes the motion’s prospects, leaving its ultimate impact open to debate.