Opposition Walks Out of Rajya Sabha Amid Tensions with Chairman

The Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated exchange recently, leading to the Opposition’s dramatic walkout during a session. It all started when BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari made controversial remarks about Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, which sparked outrage among the Opposition members.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar faced criticism for his handling of the situation. During the confrontation, Kharge demanded an explanation about Tiwari’s remarks, which he found unacceptable. Dhankhar defended Tiwari, claiming he actually praised Kharge in Sanskrit and that their differences had been resolved privately.

This didn’t sit well with Opposition MPs, who clamored for an official apology from Tiwari. DMK MP Tiruchi Siva and Congress MP Pramod Tiwari both expressed their anger at Tiwari’s tone, insisting it was derogatory.

The tension escalated when Jaya Bachchan took to the floor to comment on Dhankhar’s demeanor, stating that his tone was inappropriate. Dhankhar responded sharply, reminding her of the expected decorum in the House. This led to a further outcry from the Opposition, who accused him of bias.

In a fit of frustration, the Opposition staged a walkout, leaving behind a ruling party that used the opportunity to criticize their conduct. The Leader of the House, BJP president J.P. Nadda, moved a censure motion against the Opposition, with various ruling allies calling for punishment for their behavior.

Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary suggested suspending the errant members, bringing even more ire toward the Opposition’s decision to walk out. The Chairman later expressed disappointment over what he deemed a lack of respect for the parliamentary process.

Following this session, discussions emerged among opposition parties about possibly submitting a notice for a no-confidence or impeachment resolution against Dhankhar, fueling further speculation on the challenge between the parties and the Chairman

As tensions simmered in the Upper House, Congress leaders Ajay Maken and Pramod Tiwari voiced their concerns over Dhankhar’s perceived partiality, claiming that such behavior undermines the integrity of the parliamentary framework.