Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, responding to Vice President and Upper House Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar's letter, asserted that the mass suspension of MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha "seems to be predetermined and premeditated by the government."
Kharge, currently out of Delhi, proposed a meeting upon his return. He agreed with Dhankhar's suggestion to move forward, emphasizing adherence to the Constitution and parliamentary practices.
In his response to a letter from Dhankhar, Kharge remarked, "Unfortunately, the Chairman's letter justifies the autocratic and arrogant attitude of the Government towards Parliament."
Addressing Dhankhar's concerns, the senior Congress leader urged an objective and neutral examination, stating, "The ruling party has indeed weaponized the suspension of members as a convenient tool to undermine democracy, sabotage Parliamentary practices, and throttle the Constitution."
Kharge asserted, "Privilege motions have also been weaponized to muzzle the voice of the Opposition. This deliberate design of the ruling dispensation aims to undermine Parliament itself. By suspending MPs, the government is effectively silencing the voice of the voters of 146 MPs altogether."
Responding to Dhankhar's claim of deliberate disorder, Kharge countered, "I would like to submit that if anything, it is the mass suspension of the Opposition MPs from both Houses of Parliament that seems to be predetermined and premeditated by the Government. I am most sorry to say, executed without any application of mind, as seen by the suspension of an INDIA party MP who was not even present in the Parliament."
While Dhankhar mentioned his unsuccessful attempts to meet the Leader of Opposition, Kharge disclosed, "I had sought a statement from the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the security breach on December 14, before the suspensions started."
Acknowledging the Chairman's authority, Kharge regretted, "It was regrettable that the Chair condoned the attitude of the Hon'ble Home Minister and the Government, who did not wish to make a statement on the floor of the House. It was even more regrettable that the Hon'ble Home Minister made his first public statement before a TV channel when Parliament was in session."
Kharge pointed out that a Union minister allegedly informed an opposition parliamentarian about the planned suspension of most opposition MPs before the home minister's presence in the Rajya Sabha. He expressed disappointment, saying, "We would have expected the Chairman to have inquired if such a threat was indeed issued. Such comments grossly undermine the Chair, who we believe is the final authority on conducting the House, including suspension of members."
Emphasizing the silencing of the voice of 146 MPs, Kharge urged the Chairman, as the custodian of the House, to protect the people's right to hold its government accountable in Parliament.
He noted, "The Chairman should also kindly note that the government has escaped accountability on all crucial issues like serious border incursions by China, or continued unrest in Manipur or the recent intrusion in the Lok Sabha by visitors who had been facilitated entry by a BJP MP."
Kharge expressed concern about the history of judging presiding officers harshly for passing bills without debate and not seeking accountability from the government. He said, "It is disappointing that the Hon'ble Chairman feels effecting suspensions facilitated legislative business by passing bills without discussion."
While agreeing with the Chairman on the need to move forward, Kharge stressed that the solution may not lie in a discussion in the Chairman's chambers if the government is not keen on running the House. He conveyed his intention to meet the Chairman upon his return to Delhi as his "privilege and duty."
