Opposition Seeks Removal of Vice President Dhankhar as Rajya Sabha Chairperson, Citing Bias

In an unprecedented move, approximately 60 opposition MPs from the INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc submitted a notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, calling for the removal of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar as Chairperson of the Upper House. The MPs accused Dhankhar of displaying extreme bias since taking over the role in August 2022, claiming his actions had diminished the prestige of the position.

The opposition’s notice includes a six-point “charge sheet,” alleging that Dhankhar’s conduct in the House had been partisan, particularly in the way he handled proceedings. According to the notice, the Vice President had repeatedly interrupted opposition MPs during their speeches and denied requests made by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to counter statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President J.P. Nadda, which the opposition members deemed false.

The notice is unlikely to be taken up for discussion before the end of the winter session, which concludes in less than two weeks.