The no-confidence motion submitted by the Opposition against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar was dismissed by Deputy Chairman Harivansh on procedural and substantive grounds, marking a historic but contentious episode in Parliament.
In a detailed ruling, Harivansh deemed the motion “flawed” and an attempt to “mar the reputation” of the Chairman. The Deputy Chairman cited multiple procedural lapses, including failure to provide the mandatory 14-day notice and a misspelling of Dhankhar’s name in the notice.
Grounds for Rejection
The Deputy Chairman outlined the reasons behind rejecting the motion in his ruling, which was presented in the House by Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody:
- Violation of Procedure: The motion did not adhere to the constitutional requirement of a 14-day notice, as mandated under Article 67(B).
- Technical Errors: The notice included a misspelling of Dhankhar’s name, undermining the formal validity of the document.
- Alleged Motive: Harivansh argued that the motion appeared to be a deliberate effort to tarnish the reputation of the Vice President and undermine constitutional institutions.
Despite these lapses, the motion did meet one protocol: it carried the signatures of 60 MPs when submitted last week, fulfilling the requirement for support.
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Opposition’s Claims and Uproar
The INDIA bloc, comprising the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party, accused Dhankhar of acting in a “partisan” manner, particularly during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. They argued that his conduct as Chairman has compromised the impartiality expected of his position.
For the first time in Rajya Sabha’s history, a motion to remove the Chairman was introduced. The Opposition’s accusations were amplified during the session, which has been marked by frequent clashes between the ruling BJP-led NDA and the Opposition since its commencement on November 25.
Deputy Chairman’s Ruling
In his statement, Harivansh emphasized the gravity of such motions, asserting that they should not be moved “in haste” or with the intent to damage the reputation of constitutional offices. He described the impeachment notice as a calculated move to question the credibility of the Vice President, who also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
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“This motion is part of a deliberate effort to undermine the nation’s constitutional institutions and tarnish the reputation of the incumbent Vice President,” Harivansh stated in the ruling.
Historical Context and Political Repercussions
The motion’s rejection has further deepened the divide between the Opposition and the ruling party, highlighting the intensifying political clashes in the Upper House. The Winter Session has already been fraught with disruptions, with debates often devolving into heated exchanges.
While the ruling BJP has defended Dhankhar’s impartiality, the INDIA bloc insists that the rejection of the motion underscores a lack of accountability within constitutional institutions.
The motion’s dismissal is likely to escalate tensions in Parliament, with the Opposition vowing to continue its protests.
