The opposition accused Mr Dhankhar of bias.
The Rajya Sabha witnessed massive chaos on Friday after the Opposition moved a no-confidence motion against Vice President and Speaker Jagdeep Dhankhar. The move also led to a war of words between Leader of Opposition and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Mr Dhankhar, leading to the adjournment of the House of Representatives for the day.
“I am a farmer's son. I will not be weak in any situation, I have tolerated enough,” the Rajya Sabha Chairman told the Opposition while moving the no-confidence motion.
To this, Mr. Kharge replied, “If you are the son of a farmer, then so am I, the son of a laborer.”
“I have faced more challenges than you… You are insulting our party leaders, you are insulting the Congress. We have not come here to listen to your praise, we have come here for discussion,” he added.
The Congress leader also alleged that the Speaker was giving more time to MPs from the treasury benches as compared to the Opposition. He also accused Mr Dhankhar of “insulting” the Congress.
“The Rajya Sabha chairman is encouraging the BJP's unruliness. He is not letting the opposition benches speak,” Kharge said.
The opposition accused Mr Dhankhar of bias.
As the heated debate intensified, Mr Kharge said he “would not bow down”. Then Mr Dhankhar said, “I will die for the country…I will perish”.
At one point, Mr Kharge told the Rajya Sabha chairman: “You insult me. How can I respect you?”
Amid the mounting chaos over the no-confidence motion, Rajya Sabha was adjourned for a day to December 16.
Earlier today, House of Representatives leader and BJP leader JP Nadda accused Mr Kharge and the Congress of “non-cooperation” in the functioning of the Rajya Sabha. According to him, the opposition was given sufficient opportunity to speak in Parliament, but they refused.
Two-day debate in Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha will hold a two-day debate today from 12 noon on the occasion of 75 years of the Constitution. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh set the ball rolling for the BJP, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have the final say on Saturday. At least 12 to 15 MPs from the ruling party and its allies are expected to speak during the debate.
On the opposition side, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who will deliver her debut speech in Parliament, will lead the counter-attack.
