INDIA Bloc MPs submit motion to remove Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar

In a significant political move, members of the Opposition’s INDIA bloc have submitted a notice for a motion to remove Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. This step, according to an Opposition leader, is not a protest against an individual but a measure to protect the integrity of the institution and its chair.

On Tuesday, the INDIA bloc formally moved a no-confidence motion against Vice President Dhankhar. The notice was submitted to the Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha, marking a rare and bold move in the Indian parliamentary history.

Jairam Ramesh, a prominent Opposition leader, explained the reason behind the motion in a post on X (formerly Twitter): "All parties belonging to the INDIA group have had no option but to formally submit a no-confidence motion against the learned Hon’ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for the extremely partisan manner in which he has been conducting the proceedings of the Council of States."

The vice president, who serves as the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha, has been accused of bias in his conduct of the house’s proceedings. The motion of removal aligns with Article 67 (b) of the Constitution, which allows for the vice president to be removed by a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha and agreed to by the Lok Sabha, with a mandatory 14-day notice from MPs declaring their intent.

Despite the procedural correctness, the motion faces an uphill battle due to the INDIA bloc's lack of majority in either House.

One Opposition leader, speaking anonymously, emphasized that the motion is not a personal attack on Dhankhar but an effort to safeguard the democratic institution. "We are trying to send a message that the Opposition has concerns that are not against any individual but to seek the protection of the institution," the leader stated.

The motion has been endorsed by several floor leaders, including Nadimul Haque and Sagarika Ghosh from the Trinamool Congress, Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party, and Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena (UBT). They have expressed their collective concern over the chairman's refusal to allow the Opposition to raise critical issues, a matter they find troubling and a catalyst for their unprecedented action.

The unfolding political drama adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing parliamentary sessions, highlighting the growing rift between the ruling party and the Opposition.