Latest news with #Rule167
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
P Chidambaram writes: Life is a mystery, not always beautiful
On July 10, 2025, Mr Jagdeep Dhankhar cheerfully announced 'I will retire at the right time — August 2027, subject to divine intervention.' He was the Vice President of India and, ex officio, Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. On July 21, Mr Dhankhar quietly resigned from the office of Vice President and, consequently, quit as Chairman. What happened between July 10 and July 21 is what makes life a mystery. Both Houses of Parliament began 'normally' on Monday, July 21. On the previous day, the government had convened the customary meeting of the floor leaders of political parties. The customary assurances of debate 'on all issues' and co-operation were exchanged between the government and the Opposition. Sadly, however, in the working of the Indian Parliament, there is currently no consensus between the Treasury and the Opposition on what, when and how the House may debate an issue of urgent importance. The Opposition in the Rajya Sabha usually insists on a debate under Rule 267. Rule 267 is a parliamentary device to defer the listed business and take up an issue of urgent importance. The motion is called an 'adjournment motion'. There is nothing sinister about invoking Rule 267. However, the NDA has considered a debate under Rule 267 as equivalent to a 'censure' of the government. (Perhaps, some governments in the past also took the same view). In the last 11+ years, the ruling Establishment had allowed a discussion on a motion under Rule 267 last on 'demonetisation' in November 2016. Since becoming Chairman, Mr Dhankhar had not allowed any debate under Rule 267. July 21 was no different, and what happened was straight out of Mr Dhankhar's playbook. A lone BJP member had given a notice under Rule 167 to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor; several members of the Opposition had given notices under Rule 267 on the same issue. The Chairman admitted the motion of the BJP member as a 'No-Day-Yet-Named Motion' and rejected the other motions on the oft-repeated ground they were not in conformity with the Rules and the laid-down procedure. Commotion followed. (No one has been made wiser on how to draft a motion under Rule 267 that would be in 'conformity with the Rules and the laid-down procedure'). The Chairman called a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) at 12.30 pm. Mr J P Nadda and Mr Kiren Rijiju attended representing the government. After some discussion, the meeting was adjourned to 4.30 pm. When the BAC met again, the two ministers were absent. Apparently miffed, the Chairman adjourned the meeting. He resigned at 9.25 pm, citing 'medical advice'. It is a telling commentary that no Party or MP implored Mr Dhankhar to withdraw his resignation. On July 22, the Deputy Chairman tersely announced in the House the 'occurrence of vacancy' in the Vice Presidency. Clearly, the government had decided to bid goodbye to Mr Dhankhar without fuss or fanfare or a farewell. The NDA government owed a lot to Mr Dhankhar. In American football parlance, he took upon himself the role of 'tackle'. He defended the RSS/BJP's position on One Nation, One Election (ONOE) and on the removal of the words 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Preamble to the Constitution. He criticised the Supreme Court for its judgement propounding the Basic Structure doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati case). He questioned the theory of judicial review of laws passed by Parliament. He asserted the right of the government to appoint judges to the Supreme Court and the High Courts, debunking the proposition that the judiciary has primacy in such appointments (Second Judges case). He slammed the Supreme Court for invoking Article 142 to direct governors (and the President) to grant or refuse assent to Bills within 3 months. Contradicting Article 105, Mr Dhankhar asked members to 'authenticate' documents or data cited in their speeches. He defended sanatana dharma. He heaped fulsome praise on the RSS. His positions mirrored the conservative Right's views, and ought to have pleased the BJP. At different times, Mr Dhankhar belonged to the Janata Dal, Samajwadi Janata Party (of Chandra Shekhar), Congress and BJP. His appointment as Governor of West Bengal resurrected his political career. His unwarranted run-ins with the state government may have burnished his pro-BJP credentials but tarnished the office of governor. His surprise elevation as Vice President showed the faith reposed in him by the RSS/BJP to bear the right-wing flag. His conduct of proceedings earned him the distinction of being the first Chairman against whom a No Confidence motion was moved. What broke the cordial ties between Mr Dhankhar and the RSS/BJP? The idea of a motion to impeach Justice Yashwant Varma had germinated in a meeting of the Congress parliamentary strategy group on July 15. Signed by 63 members, the Opposition left Mr Dhankhar no choice but to admit the motion on July 21 (while a similar government-inspired motion had been lodged in the Lok Sabha on the same day). The motion forced Mr Dhankhar to act on the motion to impeach Justice Shekhar Yadav that he had held back for seven months. The speculation is that Mr Dhankhar's decisions on the two motions broke the camel's back. I disagree; the two motions were light straws. Obviously, there were more. Life is a mystery, and sometimes ugly.
Deccan Herald
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Centre agrees to hold 'special discussion' on Op Sindoor on July 28 in Lok Sabha
New Delhi: A 'special discussion' on Operation Sindoor will start in Lok Sabha on Monday and in Rajya Sabha a day later, with MPs in both Houses allocated 16 hours each to deliberate on the military operations against terror infrastructure in Pakistan following Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent government managers told members of Rajya Sabha BAC that they want to schedule the debate in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday because it enables Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be present when the debate starts in both Houses, sources said after Rajya Sabha Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Wednesday. The Lok Sabha BAC had met earlier this meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Chairman Harivansh, came after four postponements since Monday and after the dramatic resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who was the Upper House Chairman, as Vice 'politics' & motion against Justice Varma at heart of Dhankhar's exit as Vice President?.The meeting was first called by Dhankhar on Monday 1 pm but it remained inconclusive and rescheduled to meet at 4:30 pm and again to Tuesday 1 pm. However, the 1 pm meeting on Tuesday, to be chaired by Deputy Chairman Harivansh in the absence of Dhankhar, was rescheduled to 5:30 pm. But, late afternoon, the meeting was postponed to Wednesday 12:30 the meeting, sources said Congress' Jairam Ramesh suggested that they could accord a farewell to Dhankhar, when a suggestion for farewell for retiring MPs on Thursday was made. Though the BJP was supportive of allowing retiring MPs to make their farewell speeches, a senior BJP leader said that there is 'no opportunity left to give Dhankhar a farewell' as he has the meeting, sources said the Opposition also made it clear that the debate on Operation Sindoor should not be on a motion or a resolution and the government informed that it would be a special discussion. .Congress raises 'serious questions' on impact of FTA likely to be signed during Modi's UK demand came as Dhankhar had admitted a notice of BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya under Rule 167 with a motion urging the government to set up a permanent Parliamentary mechanism to support international engagement during national security operations. Congress and Trinamool Congress insisted that the debate should not be on a resolution and was supported by DMK and AAP, as they wanted an unrestricted Congress' Derek O'Brien asked the government managers why they could not start the debate on Thursday 11 am, to which he was informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is presently on an official visit abroad, cannot be present during the week. At this, sources said, AAP's Sanjay Singh said that the government could then schedule a discussion on Special Intensive Revision on electoral rolls in Bihar. However, sources said, the government indicated that it is not in favour of such a debate.O'Brien, sources said, also demanded that the government take up one each short duration discussion and call attention motions every week on subjects suggested by the Opposition. After the meeting, O'Brien said, "Why is the government delaying a discussion. Parliament is being disrupted because the Prime Minister is in England and he does not want to run Parliament."
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Jagdeep Dhankhar's last day as Vice-President: Praise for Kharge, call for political bonhomie
July 21, the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which also turned out to be his last day as Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, began as usual for Jagdeep Dhankhar. The sitting of the Upper House began at 11 am, with Dhankhar requesting members to maintain order as new MPs were sworn in by the Secretary General. Once the oath-taking was over, Dhankhar wished members Laxmikant Bajpayee, Rajeev Shukla and Sangeeta Yadav, who had celebrated their birthdays the previous day. The Vice President then wished Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, whose birthday was on Monday, heaping praise on him. 'As national president of the Indian National Congress and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, you embody trust and respect transcending political lines,' Dhankhar said. He added that he had benefited from Kharge's guidance on several occasions. Dhankhar then went on to read out obituary references for former members of the House, including ex-Gujarat chief Vijay Rupani, as is the practice on the first day of a Session. He referred to the terror attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir 'deeply wounding our collective conscience', and hailed India's response in the form of Operation Sindoor 'to neutralise terrorist hideouts across the border'. He praised the 'resolute bravery of our armed forces' and the 'steadfast solidarity of our people'. Dhankhar then referred to 'the tragic crash of Air India flight 171 on 12th June, claiming 240 lives'. 'While investigations continue, we mourn this profound loss. On behalf of the House, I offer heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families…,' he said. Rupani was among those who died in the crash. Dhankhar also made a plea for reducing acrimony in the House. 'A thriving democracy cannot sustain constant acrimony. Political tension must be reduced, as confrontation is not the essence of politics. While political parties may pursue the same goals through different approaches, no one in India opposes the nation's interests,' he said. He called upon all political parties to 'foster bonhomie and mutual respect, avoiding unbecoming language or personal attacks against leaders…'. Dhankhar then informed the House that he had received notice of motion under Rule 167, from Samik Bhattacharya of the BJP, to discuss Operation Sindoor, adding that the date and time for the discussion would be decided in consultation with the Leader of the House and others. He said that 18 notices had been received for discussion under Rule 267 on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, and that Opposition leaders had also sent notices for discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. He said that, among other things, he had also received notice from CPI(M) MP A A Rahim for a discussion on the ongoing negotiations for a trade agreement with the US and its impact on the agricultural sector. The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, took charge of the proceedings in the House after this. Around 1 pm, Dhankhar held a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) to decide the time and nature of discussions to be held in the Rajya Sabha. The meeting was inconclusive, with the Opposition seeking more time to decide on the government's suggestions. Dhankhar then said that another BAC meeting would be held later in the day, at 4.30 pm. By 3 pm, the Opposition submitted its notice for removal of Justice Yashwant Varma, from whose house allegedly a stack of currency was discovered, to Dhankhar. At 4.05 pm, Dhankhar informed the Rajya Sabha that he had received the notice, and said since it had been signed by more than 50 members, it met the numerical requirement for initiation of proceedings against the High Court judge. He further told the House that, as per rules, if a notice of motion for removal of a judge is given in any of the two Houses – the numerical requirement in the Lok Sabha being 100 – the presiding officer may accept or reject it. But, if such a notice is given in both Houses on the same day, and it met the numerical requirement in each House, 'the right of the Speaker or Chairman to admit or reject the motion is not there', Dhankhar said. 'Then, the motions become property of the House.' He then sought to know whether a similar notice for the removal of the judge had been given in the Lok Sabha. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said it had been done. (Speaker Om Birla is yet to inform the Lok Sabha regarding it.) Dhankhar replied that in such a case, the Secretary General would take the required next steps. Dhankhar then told the House that he had also received a notice signed by 55 members for the removal of a judge of the Allahabad High Court – a reference to Justice Shekhar Yadav, whom the Opposition wants removed over objectionable remarks made at a VHP event. He said that, in this notice, it seemed that one member had signed in two places, requiring him to 'get to the bottom of the issue and find out whether the representation was meriting consideration…'. He said that the process was on and he would update the House about it later. Underlining that this was necessary because the House had set high standards for itself, Dhankhar then mentioned the December 2024 discovery of wads of notes on a seat in the House – allegedly belonging to MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Dhankhar left the House close to 4.30 pm, following which Sasmit Patra of the BJP replaced him in the Chair. It was after this that he held the BAC meeting where representatives of the government did not turn up. Leader of the House J P Nadda told reporters on Tuesday that they had informed Dhankhar in advance that they would not be able to attend due to a prior engagement. At about 9.25 pm, the resignation of Dhankhar was announced by the X handle of the Vice President of India.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Opposition uproar demanding answers from PM on terror attack and Operation Sindoor leads to adjournment in Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha was briefly adjourned in the first hour of the first day of the Monsoon Session after Opposition uproar over the Pahalgam terror attack and U.S. President Donald Trump's claims on ceasefire during Operation Sindoor, which the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge said was 'humiliating' for the country. Mr. Kharge, along with several Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha, had submitted adjournment notices (under Rule 267) for a discussion on the terror attack and Operation Sindoor after suspending the listed business of the day. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, the Congress president made a case for a two-day debate on the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, alleged security lapses and foreign policy. 'The Prime Minister should answer,' he demanded. He said that the terrorists who carried out the attack have 'neither been caught nor killed till date'. He also flagged Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha's remarks 'admitting that there has been a lapse in Pahalgam'. Mr. Kharge said all political parties had given unconditional support to the government during Operation Sindoor. 'In such a situation, we want to know from the government what is the complete situation' he said. The senior Congress leader further said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Deputy Army chief and a senior Defence attache had made some revelations regarding Operation Sindoor. 'The government should also clarify its stand on the statement of U.S. President Donald Trump, because he has claimed not once but 24 times that he got the ceasefire done. This is humiliating for the country,' he said. Responding to Mr. Kharge's demands, Leader of the House and Union Minister J.P. Nadda asserted that the government was ready to discuss all issues related to Operation Sindoor. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar also assured the Opposition MPs that he would ensure a full-fledged discussion on the issue for as much time as the members wanted. He also admitted a motion moved by BJP's Bengal MP Samik Bhattacharya under Rule 167 on the issue. Mr. Dhankhar said he will discuss the issue with leaders of various parties, as he adjourned the House proceedings briefly till noon, amid uproar by the Opposition. When the House met at noon for the scheduled Question Hour, the Congress MPs again raised the issue, and later staged a walkout from the House in protest.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Monsoon session: Nadda vs Kharge in Rajya Sabha; Pahalgam attack, Trump's claim take centrestage
NEW DELHI: The Monsoon Session of Parliament began with with a fiery debate between Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of the House, JP Nadda, over the government's response to the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor . Kharge demanded a debate, raising serious concerns about the intelligence failure and the lack of accountability, while also seeking clarity on US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of brokering a ceasefire. 'I have given notice in the House, as per the rules, regarding the situation following the Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation Sindoor,' Kharge said. 'The terrorists responsible have neither been apprehended nor eliminated to date. We had extended unconditional support to the government to maintain unity in the country and to strengthen the armed forces. In light of this, we wish to know from the government what the complete situation is.' He also referred to statements made by Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha and said the CDS, Deputy Army Chief, and other officers. 'Furthermore, the government should clarify its stance on the statement made by US President Trump, as he has claimed not once but 24 times that he facilitated a ceasefire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo This is a humiliating matter for the country,' he added. Nadda, responding to Kharge's demands, said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ready for a full debate on Operation Sindoor. 'Such an operation has never happened since the country got its independence,' he remarked. However, he criticised Kharge for discussing minute operational details which, he said, were outside the scope of his Rule 267 notice. 'Am not going into the details of it but I will like to tell you Samik Bhattaracharya under Rule 167 on his own has put in the Business Advisory Committee and that Bharat Sarkar under PM Modi is willing to discuss on every issue and everything will be discussed,' Nadda stated. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar admitted Kharge's motion for discussion and assured the Opposition of a full-fledged debate. Addressing the ruckus in the House, Dhankhar said, 'Dialogue and discussion, not conflict, are the way forward. Internal fighting strengthens our enemies and provides material to divide us.' He called on MPs to avoid personal attacks and uphold India's democratic ethos. Despite the Chairman's assurances, Congress MPs staged a walkout during Question Hour after the House was adjourned following uproar. Earlier, Kharge had said, 'Till today, the terrorists have not been caught or neutralised. The LG of J-K had made a statement that there was an intelligence failure... US President Trump has claimed 24 times that the ceasefire happened only due to his intervention.' Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, was a coordinated tri-services military campaign aimed at neutralising cross-border terror infrastructure. A ceasefire was announced on 10 May. Meanwhile, proceedings in the Lok Sabha were also marred by protests. Speaker Om Birla urged MPs to allow debate, stating, 'This is the Question Hour and the Government is willing to discuss on every issue.' Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju echoed the government's readiness to engage. However, Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, alleged that the government was silencing dissent.
