Kiren Rijiju rips into Opposition for no-trust motion against Jagdeep Dhankhar

The Rajya Sabha descended into chaos on Wednesday as the government and opposition clashed over the no-confidence motion against Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

In Short

• Opposition, government spar over no-trust motion against Jagdeep Dhankhar
• Kiren Rijiju accuses Congress of 'standing with forces against the country'
• Rajya Sabha adjourned for day as both sides trade charges over Soros issue

Chaos erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as the government and Opposition locked horns over a no-trust motion against Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The opposition had filed a notice to impeach Dhankhar, accusing him of partisan conduct as the Chairperson of the Upper House.

The uproar began as soon as the House convened, with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju launching a scathing attack on the opposition. Defending Dhankhar, he said, “If the opposition attacks the dignity of the Chairman, we will protect.”

Rijiju praised the Vice President, calling him a “farmer’s son” who has upheld the dignity of the House.

Lashing out at the opposition MPs, Rijiju added, “You have no right to be members if you can’t respect the Chair. We have taken an oath to protect the sovereignty of the country.”

“It’s all a facade to protect the likes of the Gandhi family, when Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is linked with the George Soros foundation,” Rijiju alleged.

He was referring to US-based billionaire George Soros. Since last week, the ruling BJP MPs have been raising the issue of alleged nexus between Soros and the Congress posing a threat to national security.

Opposition members protested vociferously, leading to a heated exchange. Rijiju doubled down, saying, “You stand with forces who are against the country. Notice has been given against the Chairman. It is difficult to find such a Chairman. He has always talked of the welfare of the poor and protected the Constitution. Congress should apologise to the nation.”

The uproar forced an adjournment of the House until noon. When the session resumed, BJP President and Union Minister JP Nadda continued the attack, urging condemnation of the Opposition’s motion.

“This is a question about the sovereignty of the country,” Nadda said amid opposition protests. “Bringing a no-confidence motion against the Chair is a design to deviate the attention of the nation... It should be condemned by one and all.”

Calling it a matter of the nation’s internal and external security, the BJP chief alleged that Congress is becoming a tool of outside forces.

The proceedings descended into further chaos, with the opposition and treasury benches trading accusations over the no-trust motion and the Soros issue. Unable to restore order, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House for the day.

Parliament proceedings were washed out in the first week of the winter session starting November 25 due to protests by opposition members demanding discussion on issues like the indictment of industrialist Gautam Adani in a US court and Sambhal violence.