Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday met Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan as the Speaker of the House and urged him not to behave in a partisan manner during his tenure.
Addressing the Upper House of Parliament, Kharge cited the example of India’s first Vice President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan to take a dig at the BJP.
He said, “Today, on my own behalf and on behalf of all the opposition members, I heartily congratulate you on assuming the charge of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.”
The Congress President further said, “The heavy responsibility of the smooth conduct of the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha rests with the Chairman. I consider it appropriate to quote Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. During his acceptance speech, he had said, ‘I do not belong to any party, which means I belong to every party in this House.’
He said, “It will be my endeavor to maintain the highest traditions of parliamentary democracy and work with every party with fairness and impartiality. With ill will toward none and goodwill toward all. A democracy will turn into tyranny if it does not allow opposition groups to objectively, freely and candidly criticize the government’s policies.” I am saying this because some people say that you belong to their party.”
Citing CP Radhakrishnan’s association with the Congress, Kharge said his uncle CK Kuppuswami was an MP from his party.
He said, “The valuable comments made by Dr. Radhakrishnan are relevant even today. You not only held the same position as him, but you also have the same name as him. I hope you also have the same views as him. Your uncle C.K. Kuppuswami has been a member of the Congress and has been elected to the Lok Sabha thrice.”
Kharge said, “The Congress is fully committed to the constitutional values and time-honored parliamentary procedures. Please be assured of our cooperation in the conduct of the proceedings of the House and to provide fair opportunity to every member of the House, whether from the opposition or the ruling party.”
Recalling the sudden resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, he said that the House did not get an opportunity to bid him farewell.
He said, “I am bound to mention the sudden resignation of your predecessor from the post of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, which was unprecedented. As the guardian of the House, the responsibility of the Chairman is as much for the Government as it is for the Opposition. I am saddened that the House did not get the opportunity to bid him farewell. I wish him a healthy life. We are confident that you will remain impartial.”
Kharge’s comments regarding Dhankhar’s resignation sparked protests among ruling MPs and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hit back, saying Congress leaders had insulted the former Rajya Sabha chairman and demanded his removal from the post.
Rijiju said, “Why did the leader of the opposition mention an issue which did not need to be raised at this time? Kharge ji, I do not want to mention the work of your leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Jairam Ramesh here. In a democracy, we should respect each other. If he did not deviate from the topic, then I did not need to say anything.”
He said, “Have you forgotten what language you used and insulted the former Vice President? The expulsion motion against him is still with us. My appeal is that do not mention anything unnecessary on this serious occasion.”
CP Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President of India after Dhankarna abruptly resigned on the first day of the monsoon session citing health reasons.
Senior BJP leader Radhakrishnan previously served as the Governor of Maharashtra and Governor of Jharkhand from February 2023 to July 2024. He also held the additional charge of Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry between March and July 2024. He was elected to the Lok Sabha twice from Coimbatore and served as the state president of Tamil Nadu BJP.
The winter session of Parliament began today with the new Speaker being formally welcomed in the Upper House, while the Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm amid opposition uproar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
