The winter session of Parliament witnessed a contentious start in the Rajya Sabha on its first day, as the Congress party raised concerns regarding the "sudden exit" of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, during the welcome address for the newly appointed Chairman, C.P. Radhakrishnan. The issue sparked an immediate clash between the opposition and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), setting a confrontational tone for the session.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the session by warmly welcoming C.P. Radhakrishnan, praising his democratic rise and contributions. Modi assured Radhakrishnan that the Upper House would maintain the dignity of the institution under his leadership. However, the atmosphere quickly shifted as Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, addressed the House.
Kharge expressed his dismay over the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who had stepped down from his position as Vice President in July, citing health issues. Kharge emphasized that the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is a custodian of the entire House, representing both the opposition and the government. He lamented that the House did not have the opportunity to bid farewell to Dhankhar. Kharge also assured the new chairman of the Congress' support but urged him to treat the opposition and treasury benches equally, highlighting the importance of impartiality for the office's credibility. He stated that any democracy that suppresses the opposition's ability to freely criticize government policies risks degenerating into tyranny.
Kharge's remarks drew immediate criticism from the BJP. JP Nadda, the Leader of the House, sharply responded to Kharge's comments, advising him to seek medical help for his political frustrations. Nadda asserted that Kharge's raising of the Dhankhar issue was irrelevant and insisted that the House should focus on maintaining decorum during the felicitation of the new Chairman. Nadda also alluded to the Congress party's recent electoral setbacks in Bihar, Haryana, and Maharashtra, suggesting that these defeats were the cause of Kharge's "pain and suffering". This comment evoked surprise and laughter from some members of the House, further escalating the tension in the chamber.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also criticized Kharge, reminding the House of the language Kharge had previously used to "insult" Dhankhar.
The opposition has alleged that there were "far deeper reasons" for Dhankhar's resignation than the cited health concerns and criticized the government for not holding a farewell function. Dhankhar's resignation in July, with two years remaining in his term, had already stirred speculation across political circles.
The Winter Session commenced with a substantial legislative agenda, including the introduction of 14 Bills. The opposition has called for debates on several issues, particularly the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, reported suicides of Booth Level Officers (BLO), and national security concerns following the Delhi terror attack on November 10.
Prime Minister Modi, in his address, cautioned against disruptions stemming from electoral losses, urging members to prioritize the legislative agenda. The exchange over Dhankhar's departure underscores the deep political divisions and sets the stage for a potentially turbulent Winter Session. It remains to be seen how these tensions will impact parliamentary proceedings and discussions on critical national issues.
