Accusing the government of having "weaponised” the suspension of Opposition MPs as a convenient tool to “undermine democracy”, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has told RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar that “it would be distressing when history judges the presiding officers harshly for Bills passed without debate and not seeking accountability from the government”. Kharge was replying to the second letter on the disruption of parliamentary proceedings and the suspension of MPs by Dhankhar, who had alleged that the disorder by the Opposition in the House was deliberate and part of a strategy. Arguing that disorder was detrimental to the core of principles of parliamentary democracy, Dhankhar had argued that the suspensions are effected to serve public interest to ensure passage of Bills in the House. “It would be distressing when history judges the presiding officers harshly for Bills passed without debate and not seeking accountability from the government.,” Kharge replied. On Saturday, Dhankhar had said that “we need to move ahead”, and invited Kharge for an interaction on December 25 “or a time of your convenience” at his residence. In his reply, Kharge said he agrees with the Chairman on moving ahead, but stressed that the “answer may not lie in a discussion in the Chairman's chambers, if the government is not keen on running the House”. Kharge said he was currently out of New Delhi and would meet Dhankhar when he is back.
