Opposition moves no-confidence motion against Jagdeep Dhankhar

The INDIA alliance, a coalition of opposition parties, has formally moved a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, citing his allegedly partisan conduct in the Upper House. The motion, signed by over 50 MPs from Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Samajwadi Party (SP), DMK, and RJD, was submitted to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat on December 10, 2024. The opposition claims Dhankhar has been favoring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while suppressing opposition voices during parliamentary proceedings.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a statement on social media, described the decision as painful but necessary for the preservation of parliamentary democracy. According to Ramesh, the motion was filed because Dhankhar's actions have consistently undermined the functioning of the Rajya Sabha by preventing opposition MPs from raising critical issues. He argued that the Chairman’s handling of the House has been unfair, with opposition leaders frequently being denied the opportunity to speak while BJP MPs were given leeway to make their points uninterrupted.

The move follows a series of disruptions in Parliament during the ongoing Winter Session. On December 9, 2024, chaos erupted in both Houses of Parliament, leading to adjournments. The disturbances were largely centered around the BJP's allegations that Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP, had links to US billionaire George Soros. The BJP accused Gandhi of collaborating with foreign forces through the Forum of Democratic Leaders in Asia-Pacific (FDL-AP), an organization allegedly funded by the Soros Foundation. These allegations were raised during the Rajya Sabha session, and BJP MP Laxmikant Vajpayee was allowed to continue speaking despite objections from Congress members, including Jairam Ramesh, who contended that the Chair was biased in favor of the BJP.

During the session, Congress members expressed frustration after opposition MPs, including Pramod Tiwari, were denied the chance to speak, with their microphones allegedly switched off by the Chair. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh accused Dhankhar of showing favoritism by giving BJP MPs extended speaking time while curbing the opposition’s right to be heard. The opposition claimed this pattern of behavior from the Chair had been ongoing for several months, culminating in the no-confidence motion.

The no-confidence motion is unlikely to succeed, given that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) holds a majority in the Rajya Sabha. However, the opposition aims to send a clear message about the perceived lack of impartiality in the Chair’s conduct. The motion follows growing concerns about the fairness of parliamentary proceedings under Dhankhar's leadership, with several opposition leaders accusing the Rajya Sabha Chairman of becoming an extension of the ruling party.

The opposition’s decision to move the motion is not solely based on the recent disruptions but is also a response to broader concerns about the functioning of the Rajya Sabha under Dhankhar. The INDIA bloc has emphasized that the motion is about safeguarding parliamentary democracy, ensuring that all MPs, regardless of their political affiliation, have an equal opportunity to participate in debates. While the motion is unlikely to result in Dhankhar’s removal, the opposition has made it clear that they will continue to challenge the perceived bias and work towards a more transparent and inclusive parliamentary process.