‘Had no choice’: Opposition MPs submit no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha chairman Dhankhar

Rajya Sabha was adjourned again on Tuesday due to overheated exchanges between treasury benches and opposition bloc INDIA.

Updated on: Dec 10, 2024, 16:17:18 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said that all parties belonging to the opposition bloc ‘INDIA’ had submitted a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of conducting house proceedings in an “extremely partisan manner".

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. (PTI)

“It has been a very painful decision for the INDIA parties to take, but in the interests of parliamentary democracy, they have had to take this step. The motion has just been submitted to the Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha,” said the Congress General Secretary in a post on X.

“It has been clear that the government doesn't want both the Houses to function. Yesterday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said it before the chairman (Rajya Sabha) and JP Nadda was also there - 'by the time you (the opposition) keep raising the issue of Adani in Lok Sabha, we (the govt) won't let Rajya Sabha function',” Jairam Ramesh told ANI.

Also read | Congress slams BJP over George Soros claims

Sources cited in a news agency PTI report said that the motion has received signatures of support from about 60 opposition MPs -including from the Congress, RJD, TMC, CPI, CPI-M, JMM, AAP, and DMK. The minimum required number for moving a motion to remove the vice president is 50.

Adjournments continue

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned again on Tuesday due to heated exchanges between treasury benches and the opposition over the alleged links between top Congress leaders and American billionaire George Sorors. NDA and the INDIA bloc continued to accuse each other of not letting the house function.

Several opposition MPs continued to protest inside Parliament premises, demanding an investigation into the allegations against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. They carried back “holes” with caricatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gautam Adani printed with the slogan “Modi Adani Bhai Bhai.”

Also read | Who is George Soros and what are BJP's allegations against Sonia Gandhi?

“It is the misfortune of the country that the ruling party is not letting the Parliament function. This is causing a loss worth crores of rupees. A Parliament is called to discuss the issues. This has happened for the first time in the history of India that the ruling party is hindering the House proceedings,” said Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala.

According to Article 67(b) of the Constitution, “Vice-President may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) passed by a majority of all the then members of the Council and agreed to by the House of the People; but no resolution for the purpose of this clause shall be moved unless at least fourteen days' notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution”.

(With inputs from agencies)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.