New Delhi: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a scathing attack on the Congress party Wednesday, vehemently rejecting the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Speaking to the reporters outside the house, Rijiju denounced the move as “extremely regrettable,” asserting that the Rajya Sabha, holding a strong majority in favour of Dhankhar, would swiftly reject the motion. He described Dhankhar, a “knowledgeable person and a gentleman,” as someone who has upheld the dignity of the House.
Rijiju emphasised Dhankhar’s humble beginnings as the son of a farmer, who he claimed has kept the dignity of the House, news agency ANI reported. “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,” he said.
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Rijiju’s condemnation extended beyond the no-confidence motion itself. He accused the Congress of aligning with “anti-India forces,” referencing alleged links between the party and American billionaire George Soros.”What is the relationship between Soros and Congress? This should be revealed…Congress should apologise to the nation,” he added.
Rijiju’s remarks sparked an immediate uproar from the opposition benches, leading to a heated exchange and the subsequent adjournment of the Rajya Sabha until noon.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc had submitted the no-confidence motion Tuesday, alleging partisan conduct by Dhankhar as Rajya Sabha Chairman. This action follows ongoing disputes between the ruling BJP and the opposition over parliamentary procedures and the handling of several key issues, including the Adani controversy.
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan emphasized the historic nature of the move, noting it was the first time a no-confidence motion had been filed against a Speaker. She accused the BJP of deliberately obstructing parliamentary proceedings to prevent debate on crucial issues.
“It is going to be for the first time in history that a No Confidence motion is being moved against the Speaker. They have not left any options for us. It looks as if they are making the members of the ruling party stand and make noise so that the House may be adjourned. The Opposition should have some respect. They should be given a chance to debate. There are so many issues but they don’t want the House to run,” Ranjeet Ranjan was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.
Similarly, Congress leader Manish Tewari highlighted the implications of a no-confidence motion against the Vice President/Rajya Sabha Chairman. He pointed out that the Vice President’s position as Rajya Sabha Chairman is ex-officio.
“The Vice President is not an elected or nominated Member of the Council of States. He is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha by being virtue of being Vice President as he is elected by MP’s both of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. If the opposition is constrained to move an impeachment motion against him on grounds of partiality and bias it raises larger questions about selection of impartial presiding officers for our legislatures,” Tewari.
