NEW DELHI: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar Wednesday remained defiant in the face of continued opposition onslaught for his removal from Rajya Sabha chairman’s post while an equally unfazed BJP and its allies rallied behind him, defending the presiding officer while seeking an apology from Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for “insulting” a “son of the soil”, who has been a “protector of the House’s dignity”.
Signalling his combative intent at a public function in Jaipur, Dhankhar spoke about “internal and external forces”, which are unable to “digest” India’s progress and are trying to “divide the nation and insult” the country’s institutions in a designed manner. “Common man has a big role to play in this. We must neutralise in togetherness every anti-national narrative,” he said.
The nonchalance coincided with strong indication that the notice for his removal may be rejected shortly for not meeting the requirement of 14 days’ notice. The notice was submitted on Tuesday and the Winter Session gets over on Dec 20, the timeline rendering the fate of the move almost a foregone conclusion.
Dhankhar chaired proceedings of the upper House Wednesday and was completely unfazed when Congress MP Jairam Ramesh pointed out that they had submitted a notice against him. “I am aware of it,” Dhankhar said as he signalled start of proceedings.
As the routine of treasury and opposition benches slugging it out against alleged Sonia Gandhi-George Soros and Narendra Modi-Adani links resumed, opposition MPs said they had given the notice against Dhankhar to “protect democracy”. To this, the chairman retorted, “I don’t know who you are trying to save.”
Allowed by Dhankhar to speak, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju accused Congress of aligning with anti-India forces, specifically mentioning an alleged nexus between Soros and Sonia. He highlighted Dhankhar’s dedication to farmers and the poor, his role in protecting the Constitution and vowed to defend the Chair’s honour. He criticised Congress for levelling “baseless” allegations against Dhankhar, emphasising the latter’s commitment to democracy and respect for the Chair.
Dhankhar did not let the opposition’s charge about him being biased in favour of the govt come in the way of appreciating Modi govt once again.
Addressing the India Maritime Heritage Conclave 2024 organised by the shipping ministry in Delhi barely an hour after RS was adjourned, Dhankhar praised the development during the last decade under Modi govt. “In the last decade, we have seen many firsts in this country. This is one the firsts of its kind of steps that the govt under PM Modi has taken,” he said.
BJP displayed its support to him outside the House by playing up Dhankhar’s background as a Jat farmer. Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Mallikarjun Kharge ji should apologise to Dhankhar ji on behalf of Congress for insulting him. Congress and opposition parties are constantly wasting the time of Parliament and insulting democracy by creating a ruckus instead of discussing.”
Pradhan said bringing a no-confidence motion against the Chairman had never happened before in Indian history, but this act of “hurting the dignity of the temple of democracy” had been done under leadership of Congress.
BJP spokesperson and LS MP Sambit Patra condemned the opposition’s move and described Dhankhar as a humble farmer’s son, and claimed the notice was strategically timed after BJP highlighted alleged links between the Nehru-Gandhi family and Soros.
“Jats are patriots. Jats have shed their blood for the freedom of Hindustan and for Hindustan. Today, you are making such allegations against a Jat vice-president. Somewhere you are trying to defame him by saying that he is not doing his work properly,” Patra said.
