On Tuesday, the opposition parties, led by Congress, submitted a no-confidence motion against Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar — marking the first such move in Indian parliamentary history.
The INDIA bloc accused Dhankhar of displaying “biased” behavior by favoring the treasury benches and sidelining the opposition’s demands. They claimed his handling of House proceedings suppressed their voices while benefiting the ruling party.
Both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have faced continuous disruptions since the start of the winter session. The BJP has escalated its criticism of Congress leadership, linking them to the controversial figure George Soros, while Congress has maintained its attack on the Narendra Modi-led government over various issues.
Despite the ruling coalition’s numerical advantage making the motion’s defeat likely, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh announced the motion’s submission to the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General. He emphasized that the step was taken in the “interest of parliamentary democracy.”
Constitutional Provisions for Removal of the Rajya Sabha Chairman
The Vice-President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, responsible for maintaining order during proceedings. The Vice-President holds a five-year term and is eligible for re-election.
Article 67(b) of the Constitution governs the procedure for removing the Vice-President. The process involves passing a resolution in the Rajya Sabha, followed by approval in the Lok Sabha.
Grounds for Removal
The Constitution does not specify particular grounds for removing the Rajya Sabha Chairman, leaving it to the discretion of Parliament members. A 14-day notice is required before introducing a resolution for removal. This notice must clearly state the reasons behind the motion.
Voting Procedure
For the resolution to pass:
- A majority of the total Rajya Sabha membership must vote in favor.
- The Lok Sabha must approve the resolution by a simple majority.
The current Rajya Sabha has 245 members (233 elected and 12 appointed). A no-confidence motion, if pursued, could deepen divisions within Parliament and affect legislative functions.
The motion against Jagdeep Dhankhar has garnered support from all major opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Samajwadi Party (SP). The motion was filed under Article 67(b) of the Constitution.