‘I belong to no party’: Kharge invokes Radhakrishnan quote in Parliament; Questions PM Modi’s ‘drama’ remark
New Delhi: On the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament, Mallikarjun Kharge, national president of the Indian National Congress and Leader of Opposition in the Upper House, warmly congratulated CP Radhakrishnan on assuming office as the new Chairman of Rajya Sabha. At the same time, he voiced deep disappointment at the House missing a formal farewell for former Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar — whose abrupt resignation earlier this year, Kharge said, was “unprecedented in the annals of parliamentary history.”
Kharge recalled Radhakrishnan’s early political association with Congress — via his paternal uncle and earlier representation of the same constituency — urging the new Chairman to uphold the traditions of fairness and impartiality. “Any inclination towards favouring the ruling side from the Chair can prove dangerous; but ignoring the Opposition side would equally be dangerous,” he cautioned.
Quoting the former President and philosopher Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Kharge said, “‘I belong to no party.’ A democracy risks degenerating into tyranny if it does not allow the Opposition to criticise fairly, freely and frankly.” He appealed for equilibrium in the way the House is presided over.
On Dhankhar’s sudden departure, which occurred on the first day of the last Monsoon Session, Kharge said he was disheartened that the House did not get a chance to bid the ex-Chairman farewell — a gesture he described as a matter of institutional dignity and tradition. On behalf of the Opposition, he wished Dhankhar a “healthy and long life.”
Responding sharply, Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, criticised Kharge for raising the issue during what he described as an inappropriate moment. He reminded the House of the language previously used by Congress leaders against Dhankhar, including a removal motion, and appealed to avoid revisiting what he called “unnecessary matters” at a solemn moment of transition.
With Radhakrishnan now at the helm, many in Parliament are watching closely to see whether he can steer the Upper House with balance and restore the dignity of the Chair — and whether the bitterness over Dhankhar’s exit will fade or continue to cast a shadow over the new leadership.