The Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc submitted a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday, accusing him of partisan conduct in the House. Over 50 MPs from opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), signed the motion, which was submitted to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.
The opposition claims Dhankhar’s handling of parliamentary proceedings has been biased, especially during heated debates on issues such as the Adani Group controversy, alleged BJP connections to billionaire George Soros, and violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Dhankhar for allowing BJP members to level allegations against Sonia Gandhi while rejecting 11 notices by opposition MPs to discuss pressing national issues. “It is wrong to damage the image of a member who is not present,” Kharge stated, referring to Dhankhar’s inaction against BJP’s remarks targeting Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
Numbers Game: Can the Motion Succeed?
While the opposition’s motion is a strong political statement, its success is highly unlikely due to the numbers in the Rajya Sabha. A no-confidence motion requires a simple majority (50 percent + 1 of voting members) to pass in both Houses of Parliament. With the BJP and its allies hold a majority in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, the motion is expected to fail.
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Sources in the Trinamool Congress acknowledged the slim chances of success but emphasized the opposition’s decision was based on principle rather than expectations of victory.
Chaos in Parliament
The no-confidence notice followed chaotic scenes in both Houses of Parliament on Monday and Tuesday. Clashes erupted between BJP and opposition MPs over alleged links between Sonia Gandhi and the Soros-founded Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific Foundation and broader accusations of anti-national activities.
The BJP’s JP Nadda spearheaded the attack in the Rajya Sabha, claiming the foundation’s actions “malign India” and pose “national security concerns.” These remarks triggered sharp rebuttals from the opposition, leading to multiple adjournments.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the BJP of stalling discussions on significant issues, stating, “They are scared of discussing the Adani issue… Why should we not raise this issue?”
Meanwhile, Union Minister Giriraj Singh accused the Congress of avoiding accountability regarding Soros-linked organizations. “Why are they not clarifying George Soros’ connection with Sonia Gandhi?” he asked.
Broader Political Context
The opposition bloc’s move comes amid rising tensions over domestic and international issues. The BJP has accused opposition parties of collaborating with foreign entities like the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which has been critical of the Indian government.
The Congress has firmly denied these allegations, calling them a distraction from critical issues like the Sambhal mosque violence and Minimum Support Price (MSP) protests by farmers.
The no-confidence motion is set to further intensify political battles in Parliament, with the BJP expected to defend its Chairperson and attack the opposition for what it terms as baseless allegations.
The INDIA bloc’s unity and willingness to confront the government on contentious issues will likely remain under the spotlight as both sides gear up for high-stakes political showdowns ahead of the 2024 general elections.
