The Congress-led Opposition’s attempt to remove Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has sparked a fresh political debate, accusing him of steering the House with a “partisan bias.” However, the process of ousting the Chairman, who holds the ex-officio position of Vice President of India, faces significant constitutional challenges, making it a tough road ahead.
After floating the idea during the Monsoon Session in August, Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha have now formally submitted a motion of no-confidence against Dhankhar, citing frequent interruptions during speeches, particularly from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and a denial of adequate debate on key issues. Additionally, they allege violations of parliamentary norms, including the turning off of Kharge’s microphone during addresses.
The Opposition’s motion is backed by 70 Rajya Sabha MPs from various parties, including Congress, RJD, TMC, CPI, CPI-M, JMM, AAP, and DMK. Despite this, removing the Rajya Sabha Chairman is no easy task. The process requires a vote in both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, creating high constitutional barriers to overcome.
The motion’s submission has prompted discussions on the constitutional complexities involved. The Vice President, as Rajya Sabha Chairman, has never been removed before, and the process requires not only majority support but also a constitutional amendment to alter the officeholder. This adds significant weight to the challenge of unseating Dhankhar.
With the backing of the ruling government, it remains unclear whether the Opposition’s motion will gain traction. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome of this high-stakes political battle.
