RS adjourned again as Dhankhar, Kharge spar

Acrimonious exchanges involving the Opposition and the government, and between Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge forced the Upper House to adjourn for the day on Friday without transacting business.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran

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The ongoing logjam in the Upper House intensified after Dhankhar accused the Opposition of "insulting a farmer's son" in a possible reference to the notice submitted by INDIA bloc lawmakers to move a motion to remove the Rajya Sabha chairman. Kharge retorted and said that he was belittled for being "a Dalit and the son of a farm labourer".

Dhankhar's attempt to break the ice by inviting Kharge and the Leader of the House, JP Nadda, to his chamber for a discussion also did not fructify, as the LoP declined the invite and Nadda was scheduled to travel.

In a reinforcement of Opposition unity, leaders of the INDIA bloc put up a spirited defence of the Congress president when a heated exchange took place between Dhankhar and Kharge, both accusing the other of belittling each other and the caste they belong to.