New Delhi: The strained relations between Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and the Opposition reached breaking point on the last day of the budget session when his attempt to close the case of BJP member Ghanshyam Tiwari using unsavoury words against Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge spiralled into an attack on the Vice President‘s own tone and tenor while addressing members.
The Opposition was even contemplating moving an impeachment motion against the Vice President and sources said the process of gathering the mandatory signatures of at least 50 members of the Upper House for the same was also initiated and claimed they already have about 80 signatures. However, the budget session was adjourned sine die on Friday evening though August 12 (Monday) was scheduled to be the last day of this session.
Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh raised the issue of Tiwari using derogatory words against Kharge to which Dhankhar said he had called both of them to his chamber and the matter has been resolved. However, Congress MPs Pramod Tiwari and Ajay Makhan expressed their displeasure over the tone and tenor of Dhankhar when he addresses the Opposition members. Other Opposition parties also joined the chorus. As Kharge tried to speak on the issue, Dhankhar slammed the Congress.
“Nothing will happen, Khargeji. I know you all want to destabilise the whole nation… You are determined to have your way at the cost of the Constitution… They disrespect the Constitution. They don’t want to participate. They only want to create chaos. The nation is the priority. The nation is always first,” he said. The Opposition staged a walkout, shouting slogans “Dictatorship will not be accepted”.
