New Delhi: The no-confidence motion filed by opposition parties against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar was dismissed on Thursday by Deputy Chairman Harivansh. The motion was deemed invalid as it failed to adhere to mandatory requirements, including a 14-day notice and the correct spelling of Mr Dhankhar’s name.  

Deputy Chairman Harivansh stated that the motion appeared to be an attempt to build a narrative against the Vice President, who holds the second-highest constitutional position in India. He highlighted that opposition leaders had even organised a joint press conference to strengthen this narrative.  

While the motion had been signed by the requisite 60 MPs, it did not meet the procedural rule of a 14-day notice, as stipulated under Article 67(B) of the Constitution. This article states that a Vice President can only be removed through a resolution supported by a majority in both Houses, with a minimum 14-day notice required before moving the motion.  

Opposition criticises chairman’s conduct  

The INDIA bloc and other opposition parties accused Mr Dhankhar of biased conduct, particularly during the ongoing winter session of Parliament. Tensions escalated after the Chairman permitted BJP MPs to discuss alleged connections between Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and billionaire George Soros while rejecting opposition demands for debates on other issues.  

The opposition, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party, moved the motion in protest, despite acknowledging their lack of numbers to secure its passage. Their main aim was to highlight what they called Mr Dhankhar’s partisan handling of parliamentary proceedings.  

Reacting to the motion, Mr Dhankhar expressed his disappointment, describing the opposition’s actions as a campaign against him. “I am deeply hurt that such efforts are being made against the Chairman. The opposition has every right to move a motion, but it must be done within constitutional bounds,” he said.  

With the current session of Parliament ending soon, opposition parties will now decide whether to reintroduce the motion in the next session.