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Journalism of Courage
A war of words erupted between Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge Friday over the no-confidence motion, with BJP members claiming that the Opposition could not tolerate a farmer’s son in a constitutional position.
Dhankhar said bringing a motion of no-confidence is a constitutional right of the Opposition, but they were deviating from the procedures. He said the motion had been submitted and would be brought up as per the procedures — after 14 days of written notice — and took note of the Opposition raising the issue in the press.
“I am a farmer’s son. I will not show weakness. I will sacrifice my life for my country. You (Opposition) have only one job 24 hours a day. Why is a farmer’s son sitting here? Look at what you are saying. I have tolerated a lot… You have the right to bring a motion but you are insulting the Constitution,” the Rajya Sabha Chairman said.
Replying, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said: “If you are a farmer’s son, I am also the son of a labour. We are not here to listen to your praise… You are letting everyone from that side (the ruling party members) speak, you are letting them insult our party… You have a responsibility to run the House but you are purposely encouraging them (BJP members)”
Responding to Kharge, Dhankhar said, “The whole world knows whose praises you like. It is important that the House should function.”
During the proceeding, points of orders were raised by BJP members Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, Surendra Singh Nagar, Neeraj Shekhar, and Kiran Choudhary. Agarwal, a BJP member from Uttar Pradesh, said that there is a procedure to move a motion of no confidence against the vice president but a 14-day notice needs to be given before discussion. “I am seeing things here that I have not seen in the UP Assembly … You should have debated the allegation in the house, instead you are doing it on newspaper pages and social media,” he said, citing a post by Kharge.
Nagar and Choudhary said that the no-confidence motion against Dhankhar was against farmers and they will not forgive this.
Citing Rule 238A, DMK member Tiruchi Siva said no member should make any allegations against another member without prior intimation to the chair and the minister concerned. “In the past two days, allegations have been made against members such as Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, and other members of the House.”
On December 10, the INDIA bloc submitted the no-confidence motion to the Secretary-General of the Upper House of Parliament. During a joint press conference, INDIA bloc parties said they were forced to resort to the step to safeguard the democracy and Constitution.
The House was adjourned in less than an hour.
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