Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sagarika Ghose on Thursday submitted a privilege motion notice against Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, accusing him of using “unparliamentary language” and misusing his office. The motion, endorsed by 60 opposition MPs, was triggered by Rijiju’s comment in the Rajya Sabha, where he allegedly told opposition MPs, “You all are not worthy of being in this house.”
The remarks, made during a heated exchange in the Upper House on Wednesday, have sparked a strong reaction from opposition parties, who termed the statement an insult to elected representatives.
Ghose Condemns Minister’s Behavior
Addressing reporters, Ghose criticized Rijiju, stating, “The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, instead of doing his best to run Parliament smoothly, has chosen to repeatedly insult the opposition.” She added, “This is totally unbecoming of the high office he holds and amounts to total misuse of his position.”
The privilege motion accuses Rijiju of undermining the dignity of the opposition MPs and the Rajya Sabha. Senior leaders from various opposition parties, including those in the INDIA bloc, have signed the motion in solidarity.
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Rijiju Defends Chairman Amid Opposition Criticism
Rijiju, while addressing the Rajya Sabha, also defended Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who has faced accusations of partisanship from the opposition. “If you cannot respect the chair, you have no right to be a member of this House,” Rijiju said.
The controversy comes after 60 MPs from the INDIA bloc submitted a no-confidence motion against Dhankhar earlier this week. They accused him of being “extremely partisan” in his role as the chairman of the Upper House.
Political Fallout and Rising Tensions
The privilege motion against Rijiju highlights escalating tensions between the ruling alliance and the opposition in the winter session of Parliament. While opposition leaders demand accountability and respect from ministers, the government has accused them of disrupting the functioning of the House.
This development adds to the growing list of controversies dominating parliamentary proceedings, underscoring the widening rift between the government and opposition amid crucial legislative debates.
