Parliament Budget Session: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday (February 10) pulled up Jairam Ramesh in a strict-worded assertion for his remarks towards RLD chief Jayant Singh, and stated that the Congress MP doesn’t need to be within the Upper House of the Parliament for his “misconduct”. Dhankhar’s resolution to permit Jayant Singh to talk within the House on the Bharat Ratna honour to his grandfather and former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh drew sharp protest from the Congress, resulting in a heated change of phrases between the opposition and treasury benches.
During all the sequence, Jairam made sure remarks which couldn’t be heard because of the uproar.
Dhankhar warned the Congress chief for his remarks towards Jayant Singh and stated in a strongly-worded assertion, “I heard what Jairam Ramesh said to Jayant…you (Ramesh) are a person who can feast at the cremation ground”.
“It is a matter of fact, you (Ramesh) do not deserve to be part of this House by this misconduct,” stated Dhankhar who was visibly upset.
Chairman permits Kharge to talk
As the Congress MPs protested towards the ground being given to Jayant Singh to talk, the Chairman allowed the Leader of the Opposition within the House, Mallikarjun Kharge to talk on behalf of his social gathering.
Kharge stated there is no such thing as a debate on honouring leaders with Bharat Ratna.
“I salute everyone. But if a member wants to raise an issue, you (chairman) ask ‘under which rule’. (I want to know) under which rule he (Jayant Singh) has been allowed to speak,” the Congress chief stated.
“Give permission to us also. On one side you talk about rules…you have discretion…that discretion should be used judiciously and not as and when you want,” Kharge stated.
The Chairman was not following the foundations, Kharge alleged.
He stated that had a dialogue on Bharat Ratna been included within the House’s agenda, everyone would have participated.
Dhankhar expressed unhappiness at the objections raised by Kharge and even accused Congress leaders of insulting Charan Singh and his legacy.
(With inputs from businesses)
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