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In a bid to remove the distrust between the government and opposition, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has invited Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to his residence on December 25 for an interaction on the issue of disruptions in Parliament and the suspension of opposition MPs, saying despite his repeated requests, such a meeting could not happen during the Winter session.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar writes to Congress president and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge
The letter reads, “…I shall be grateful if you spare time for interaction on December 25 at 4pm or a time of your convenience at Up Rashtrapati Niwas.” https://t.co/pgCBt8XBdB pic.twitter.com/CWLeE8Fjf9
— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2023
The vice president said the disorder in the House was deliberate and part of a strategy. “I do not seek to embarrass you by indicating the predetermined role of the main opposition party in this communication, but will share with you when I have the benefit of interaction with you,” he said.
In a fresh letter to Kharge, who is the leader of opposition in the House, Dhankhar wrote, “We need to move ahead” and invited him for an interaction on December 25 “or a time of your convenience” at his official residence.
Congress president and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge writes a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The letter reads “I would like to bring to your attention that multiple notices were submitted under the relevant rules of the Rules and Procedure of the Council… pic.twitter.com/stOSeBdvwx
— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023
Congress president and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge writes a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The letter reads “I am also hopeful that as Chairman you will accommodate the concerns of the Opposition at all times. The Government will have its way but the… pic.twitter.com/d0NkqJebv6
— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2023
Responding to Kharge’s December 22 letter, the Rajya Sabha chairperson said he wished that the Congress leader’s assertion that “we firmly believe in fostering dialogue and discussion” was reflected in actions in the House.
“During the entire session, despite my repeated requests, in the House and by way of written communications to secure your indulgence for interaction, the same did not fructify,” he wrote.
Dhankhar said the premise of suspensions, contrary to Kharge’s stance, was deliberate disorder in the House by way of sloganeering, raising placards, entering the well of the House and gesticulating towards the Chair.
“Before taking the unpleasant step, all efforts and initiatives were exhausted at my end to secure order in the House, including by way of brief adjournments and seeking interactions in my Chamber,” he said.
Kharge had told Dhankhar that the suspension of MPs on such a large scale was detrimental to the core principles of India’s parliamentary democracy.
