The Congress-led Opposition has initiated a motion of no-confidence against Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of partisanship in steering the Upper House. While the motion has garnered significant attention, the constitutional and numerical hurdles make its success improbable, suggesting a largely symbolic intent.
The notice submitted by Opposition MPs has reportedly been signed by 70 members representing parties like the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI-Marxist (CPI-M), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and others.
The allegations against Dhankhar include:
- Frequent interruptions of opposition leaders, particularly Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
- Turning off microphones during key debates.
- Displaying favoritism towards ruling party members.
- Making personal remarks against Opposition MPs.
Constitutional Provisions for Removal
Removing the Vice President, who serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, involves a stringent constitutional process.
The motion must be introduced in the Rajya Sabha with a minimum 14-day notice. The motion requires the support of an absolute majority (more than half of the total membership) to pass, rather than a simple majority of those present and voting.
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Once approved by the Rajya Sabha, the resolution must also pass in the Lok Sabha, where only a simple majority of members present and voting is required.
If both Houses approve the motion, the Vice President loses his/her position, including the role of Rajya Sabha Chairman.
The high threshold ensures stability and protection for the office against frivolous attempts at removal.
Numerical Challenges
The numbers in Parliament weigh heavily against the Opposition:
- Rajya Sabha:
– Total membership: 245.
– BJP and allies: ~125 seats.
– Opposition support: ~112 MPs.
The Opposition is significantly short of the majority needed to pass the resolution in the Upper House.
- Lok Sabha:
– BJP-led NDA: 293 seats.
– Opposition: 238 seats.
The NDA’s dominance in the Lower House further ensures that the motion will fail even if it manages to clear the Rajya Sabha.
Implications of the Motion
Given the steep numerical and procedural barriers, the Opposition’s move appears largely symbolic. The motion allows the Opposition to highlight their grievances and project the Chairman’s alleged partisanship as a larger issue of parliamentary fairness.
This motion could serve as a litmus test for the INDIA bloc’s ability to coordinate and act collectively. Signaling Political Will: By pushing the motion despite its low chances of success, the Opposition demonstrates its intent to challenge perceived biases in parliamentary proceedings.
