RS impasse continues as MPs refuse to relent

NEW DELHI: There was no let-up in the acrimony between the government and the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, with both sides hardening their stance—the government demanding an explanation on Congress leadership’s alleged links with billionaire George Soros and the Opposition demanding a probe into the allegations of wrongdoing against the Adani Group.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran

On Thursday, while the government condemned the Opposition’s move to submit a notice for motion to replace Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Opposition stuck to its “partisan” charge against the chair, precipitating multiple adjournments.

There was a brief interlude in the sloganeering and trading accusations when the chairman extended birthday greetings to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Union minister Harsh Malhotra. When Dhankhar was reading out details about Malhotra’s career, an opposition member quipped, “he was a member of the Congress like you,” prompting the chairman to retort: “You forget ties easily, you should understand the importance of ties…if you must, inflict hurt on the mind not the heart.”

The sharp retort was followed by leader of the House and BJP chief JP Nadda dubbing the opposition’s allegations against Dhankhar as “condemnable”. He said the opposition has set a wrong precedent by levelling accusations against the chair, and questioning his directives.