In a significant stride, opposition MPs led by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) have submitted a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
This is yet another extension of the festering discontent over apparent procedural bias in governance, in particular on the Manipur crisis and other national issues.
This motion was submitted during the monsoon session of Parliament, alleging that Dhankhar had not managed the issues raised by the opposition adequately.
MPs of Congress, Trinamool Congress, and other allies of INDIA claim they were in favor of the government with the chairman’s decisions and acted contrary to the norms of Parliament and democracy.
This unprecedented step targeting the Vice President speaking in his capacity as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha has heightened political jabber.
The opposition group stated that after everything else had failed, the motion was filed as a last resort.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge charged Dhankhar with allegedly stifling debates on the ethnic violence in Manipur, inflation, and unemployment.
Reactions from the Government
This no-confidence motion, however, offered another opportunity to the opposition: an act of political theatrics, said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in response.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar further accused the opposition of hindering Parliamentary business just to cover their flaws.
According to BJP member Ravi Kishan, what the opposition were doing appeared to be nothing but a war cry for the imminent electoral loss in 2024.
Dhankhar defended his impartiality, stating that he acts strictly according to constitutional provisions. He asserted that dissent must be constructive and should take place within democratic parameters.
The motion comes hot on the heels of tumultuous sessions held in both Houses of Parliament, marked by vociferous exchanges and repetitive adjournments.
The opposition leaders, while demanding a wider discussion on the Manipur crisis, had engaged in heated debates and consistent disruptions throughout the session.
After some time, the government entertained the debate but was immediately criticized for evading the real issues involved.
This impasse is symptomatic of broader tensions between the ruling coalition and the opposition, with recent flashpoints including governance in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar.
The no-confidence motion against the Rajya Sabha Chair is, on the whole, symbolic though the expression of discontent among the opposition has reached new depths.
While analysts say this could bring the INDIA alliance together and demonstrate its unity ahead of the 2024 elections, there are procedural implications for moving the motion according to the legislative rules, as there is no precedent for this in the Upper House and would require massive numbers to get it moving.
