The first day of the Winter Session of Parliament witnessed a heated exchange in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, as Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks about the exit of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar triggered strong protests from the Treasury benches. The Upper House was welcoming its new Chairman, C. P. Radhakrishnan, when the controversy erupted.
Kharge's 'Unprecedented Exit' Remark Triggers Protest
In his address during the felicitation for the new Chairman, Mallikarjun Kharge chose to mention the "sudden and unexpected exit" of his predecessor, Jagdeep Dhankhar. Dhankhar had resigned from the post of Vice-President on July 21, citing health reasons.
"I am constrained to refer to your predecessor's unexpected and sudden exit from the office of Chairman, which is unprecedented in the annals of Parliamentary history," Kharge stated. He emphasized that the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, as the custodian of the House, belongs equally to the opposition and the government. "I was disheartened that this House did not get an opportunity to give him a farewell," he added.
His comments immediately caused an uproar from the ruling party benches, who argued that it was an inappropriate moment to raise the issue.
Ministers Slam Opposition for 'Spoiling' Solemn Occasion
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly objected to Kharge's timing. He described the welcoming ceremony as a "very solemn occasion" and questioned why the Leader of the Opposition found it necessary to reference Dhankhar's resignation at that moment.
"The Prime Minister has made very dignified remarks as part of the felicitation event. Why did the honourable Leader of Opposition refer to a case which was not necessary to be raised at this moment?" Rijiju countered. He also reminded Kharge of the motion to remove the Vice-President that opposition parties had submitted during Dhankhar's tenure.
Leader of the House J. P. Nadda also intervened, urging members to maintain the dignity of the event. He pointed out that the opposition had brought a no-confidence motion against Dhankhar twice, which he said created an obstacle to a congenial debate.
Political Undertones and a Disrupted Session
Kharge's speech carried distinct political undertones. He advised the new Chairman, C. P. Radhakrishnan, to maintain a balance between the government and the opposition. Notably, he mentioned that Radhakrishnan is related to former three-term Lok Sabha MP CK Kuppuswamy, who was a member of the Congress party. "The background you come from was mentioned by the PM, but you should also not forget you are from a Congress family," Kharge said.
He also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that since the PM had made statements attacking the opposition outside Parliament, they would reply to them inside the House.
The opening day of the 15-sitting Winter Session was marked by frequent disruptions. Apart from the clash in the Rajya Sabha, several opposition members in the Lok Sabha trooped into the Well, shouting slogans and demanding a debate on the issue of SIR (Special Investigation Report). The session, which promises key bills on nuclear energy and excise, began on a contentious note, setting the stage for a potentially turbulent parliamentary period.
