I.N.D.I.A. bloc submits 'no-confidence motion' against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar

The sources said about 60 opposition MPs -- including from the Congress, RJD, TMC, CPI, CPI-M, JMM, AAP, DMK -- have signed the notice.

New Delhi: I.N.D.I.A. block parties on Tuesday submitted a notice to move a resolution seeking removal of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for his “extremely partisan” conduct as Rajya Sabha Chairman and “repeatedly acting” in a manner that “reduces” his position to that of a “mere spokesman” of the government.

The first such notice in the country's Parliamentary history comes close on the heels of a worsening relationship with Dhankhar and the Opposition, especially in the past couple of days with the Opposition claiming that he allowed the ruling NDA MPs to raise controversial issues while denying them opportunity to raise their demands.

At least 59 MPs from around a dozen I.N.D.I.A. block parties, including Congress, RJD, Trinamool Congress, AAP, DMK, JMM, Shiv Sena (UBT), Kerala Congress (M), CPI(M), CPI, Muslim League and RJD, have signed the notice but Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, top Congress MP Sonia Gandhi and several floor leaders were not among signatories.

After submitting the notice, Congress Rajya Sabha Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh said they had "no option but to formally submit a no-confidence motion” against Dhankhar. “It has been a very painful decision for the I.N.D.I.A parties to take, but in the interests of parliamentary democracy they have had to take this step,” Ramesh posted on X.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju came out in defence of Dhankhar and attacked the Opposition saying it disrespects the dignity of Rajya Sabha Chairman. He said the Opposition move was "extremely regrettable" and that the government is very proud of Dhankhar, who is "extremely professional and impartial".

Sources said the MPs in the notice claimed that his term since August 2022 has been rife with instances where Dhankhar has “acted in a manner that is explicitly partisan and unfair” towards the Opposition MPs. They also accused him of “repeatedly making disparaging remarks” about Opposition MPs and “criticising any and every action” against the government.

Taking exception to Dhankhar saying in Rajya Sabha in July this year that he is an “Ekalavya of RSS”, the MPs also said in the notice that such remarks were “unbecoming of the non-partisan nature” of the high Constitutional position he currently occupies.

The MPs have also claimed that Dhankhar had “denied legitimate requests” of Kharge to “intervene and rebut falsehoods” spread by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the House JP Nadda. They have also accused him of making “unacceptable” remarks against Kharge besides criticising Opposition leaders in Rajya Sabha who are not members of the House.

They also alleged in the notice that he had “repeatedly interrupted” Opposition MPs while they were speaking and “unfairly” used privilege motions to silence leaders of Opposition besides “openly deligitimising dissent”. Sources said the Opposition MPs have also submitted links of six news reports to buttress their point.

The notice, sources said, also claims that Dhankhar has taken upon himself to be an “impassioned spokesperson of the government's policies” and publicly attacked Opposition MPs for viewpoints that are contrary or opposed to the position of the government.

The resolution could come up for discussion only after 14 days as per Article 67(b) of the Constitution.

The I.N.D.I.A. bloc does not have the numbers but has submitted it to send a “strong message to fight for parliamentary democracy”. Sources indicated that the notice may lapse as the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament would adjourn on December 20.

At present, the ruling BJP-led NDA has the support of 120 MPs, including six nominated members and an independent, while the I.N.D.I.A bloc has 86 MPs. Unattached parties like BJD with seven MPs said it is not a part of I.N.D.I.A. bloc and is not part of its initiative to submit the notice while YSR Congress with eight MPs said it is supportive of the initiative.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader Sagarika Ghose said, "we do not have the numbers to win, but it is a strong message to fight for parliamentary democracy. Nothing against individuals, this is a fight for institutions."

According to Article 92 of the Constitution, the Chairman cannot preside over the Rajya Sabha when a resolution for his removal from office is under consideration. However, he has the right to speak in, and otherwise to take part in the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha when such a resolution is being considered though he cannot vote