“Compelled To Take Step, Chairman Biggest Disruptor In Rajya Sabha”: M Kharge

Wed Dec 11 13:56:13 UTC 2024: ## Opposition Withdraws No-Confidence Motion Against Rajya Sabha Chairman

**New Delhi:** The Congress-led opposition in the Rajya Sabha withdrew its no-confidence motion against Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday. The decision, announced by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, followed accusations that Dhankhar has exhibited partisan behavior, favoring the ruling BJP and hindering the opposition’s ability to raise critical issues.

Kharge stated that the opposition was left with no choice but to table the motion due to Dhankhar’s alleged bias, citing instances where the Chairman allegedly prioritized BJP members while silencing opposition voices on crucial matters such as the Manipur violence and farmers’ protests. He accused Dhankhar of acting as a government spokesperson, insulting opposition leaders, and unfairly curtailing debate. Kharge emphasized that the motion was not a personal attack but a protest against what the opposition considers to be a deeply flawed and biased approach to chairing the Upper House.

The motion, filed on Tuesday, had sparked immediate backlash from the BJP. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly defended Dhankhar, characterizing him as a guiding figure and accusing the Congress of repeatedly disrespecting the office of the Chairman. Rijiju asserted the NDA’s majority in the Rajya Sabha would ensure the motion’s rejection.

The immediate trigger for the motion was a recent heated exchange between BJP and Congress MPs over allegations of collusion between Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and businessman George Soros. The BJP, led by JP Nadda, accused the Congress of acting as a tool of foreign forces, a claim vehemently denied by Kharge.

While the opposition lacked the numbers to pass the motion, and the short timeframe before the Parliament session’s end on December 20th further complicated its prospects, the withdrawal still highlights significant tensions between the ruling party and the opposition within the Rajya Sabha. The episode underscores concerns about the impartiality of the chair and the challenges facing the opposition in voicing their concerns effectively.