Disrupter Dhankhar acts like headmaster: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing the Vice-President of being the “biggest reason for disruption in Parliament”.

Addressing a press conference attended by almost all INDIA bloc constituents, Kharge criticised Dhankhar for his “partisan behaviour” and claimed that “politics had taken precedence over rules” in the Upper House.

The leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha accused the Chairman of targeting opposition leaders while favouring the government, saying, “Since 1952, no resolution has been brought under Article 67 because no Vice-President has indulged in politics like this.”

Kharge alleged that Dhankhar’s conduct undermined the dignity of his office, remarking, “He acts like a school headmaster, gives sermons to experienced opposition leaders and stops them from speaking.”

The Rajya Sabha witnessed a complete standstill on Wednesday amid uproar over the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Dhankhar. On Tuesday, members of the INDIA bloc submitted a historic notice seeking Dhankhar’s removal, accusing him of “partisan” conduct as the Chairman of the House.

Under Article 67, such a motion requires a 14-day notice and must be approved by the Deputy Chairman before being tabled. When asked whether the Opposition was in a position to mobilise the numbers needed for the passage of the motion, Kharge said the notice should be admitted first and only then the issue of number would come up. About the 14-day rider, Kharge said the Chairman could waive the condition.

Oppn moves to impeach Allahabad HC Judge

The opposition INDIA bloc has initiated efforts to impeach Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav over his controversial remarks targeting minorities during an event organised by the VHP’s legal cell on December 8.