New Delhi: The no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, moved by the Opposition, was rejected by Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who described it as “flawed” and intended to harm the Vice President’s reputation.
In a detailed ruling, Harivansh highlighted procedural lapses, including the failure to provide the mandatory 14-day notice and the misspelling of Dhankhar’s name in the notice. Despite meeting the requirement of 60 MP signatures, the Deputy Chairman criticised the motion as a deliberate attempt to undermine constitutional institutions and tarnish the Vice President’s reputation.
The motion, submitted under Article 67(B) of the Constitution, was supported by the Samajwadi Party, the Trinamool Congress, and the AAP. It alleged partisan behaviour by Dhankhar, a concern that has grown during the winter session of Parliament.
This session, which began on November 25, has been marked by frequent clashes between the Opposition and the ruling party.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly defended Dhankhar in the Rajya Sabha, describing him as a “farmer’s son” who has upheld the dignity of the House. Rijiju criticised opposition MPs, stating, “You have no right to be members if you can’t respect the Chair. We have taken an oath to protect the sovereignty of the country.”
The unprecedented motion to remove the Chairman has caused significant uproar in the Upper House of Parliament.
Congress lashes out at VP Dhankhar
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday criticised Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, alleging that the chair’s ruling on the INDIA bloc’s notice for a no-confidence motion against the Rajya Sabha Chairman “takes liberties with facts.”
Ramesh referred specifically to remarks attributed to him in the ruling delivered by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
The Congress leader also shared on X his December 14 letter to Dhankhar, in which he refuted the Chairman’s claim that he had made a “blatant lie” that misled the nation into believing that all Rajya Sabha parties had expressed no confidence in its Chairman.
