'Dhankhar acted in partisan manner': 60 MPs sign notice

NEW DELHI: Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar's term is rife with instances where he "acted in a manner that is explicitly partisan and unfair towards members belonging to the Opposition", around 60 Opposition MPs alleged in a notice they submitted seeking his removal.

- Saubhadra Chatterji

The motion will likely be taken up in the next session by the Rajya Sabha because, according to Article 67 (b), a motion for the removal of the Vice President from his office requires a 14-day notice of intent on the part of members of the Rajya Sabha who are in support of the said resolution. The winter session is scheduled to end on December 20.

In the notice submitted to Rajya Sabha secretary general P C Mody, the MPs said, "As Chairperson, the manner in which the Shri Jagdeep Dhankar conducts parliamentary affairs of the Rajya Sabha is extremely partisan. It is a matter of record that Shri Jagdeep Dhankar has repeatedly interrupted members of the Opposition while they are speaking, unfairly used privilege motions to silence leaders of the opposition, and openly delegitimized dissent with respect to the actions of the Government in the utmost disparaging manner".

Dhankhar's office didn't offer any response but it posted photos on X of Rajya Sabha chairman's meeting with a number of MPs, including some of those who have signed the notice against him.

It will be an uphill task for the Opposition to remove the Vice President as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance has more lawmakers in the House to reject any such motion, if it comes to voting. No Vice President has ever been impeached in India.

The notice was signed by MPs belonging to Congress, Trinamool Congress, AAP, Samajwadi Party, CPI(M), JMM, Kerala Congress (Mani) and others.