'If opposition attacks dignity of chairman, we will protect' says, Kiren Rijiju over no-trust motion against Jagdeep Dhankhar

NEW DELHI: Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday took a swipe at the opposition members over the no-confidence motion against vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar, adding that if they attack the dignity of the chairman, "we will protect it".

Shortly after the parliamentary session began, Rijiju criticised the opposition members, stating that, "You have no right to be members if you can't respect the Chair. We have taken an oath to protect the sovereignty of the country."

He continued, "You stand with forces who are against the country. Notice has been given against the Chairman. It is difficult to find such a Chairman. He has always talked of the welfare of the poor, protected Constitution.”

"We will not allow the drama of notice to succeed. What is the relationship between Soros and Congress? This should be revealed...Congress should apologise to the nation," the minister of parliamentary affairs and minority affairs added.

Rijiju went on to attack the opposition for initiating impeachment proceedings against the "son of a farmer" who ascended to the vice president's position. He added that reports of a Sonia-Soros connection are widely circulated globally and are not their creation.

Earlier on Tuesday, the INDIA bloc opposition coalition submitted a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to the Upper House's Secretary General.

The INDIA bloc, with Congress at its helm, has insisted on discussing the Adani issue and staged protests within Parliament's premises. Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned till Thursday.

Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan said, "It is going to be for the first time in history that a No Confidence motion is being moved against the Speaker. They have not left any options for us. It looks as if they are making the members of the ruling party stand and make noise so that the House may be adjourned.”

“The Opposition should have some respect. They should be given a chance to debate. There are so many issues but they don't want the House to run," Ranjan added.

Congress Leader Manish Tewari had said, "The Vice President is not an elected or nominated Member of the Council of States . He is ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha by being virtue of being Vice President as he is elected by MP's both of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. If the opposition is constrained to move an impeachment motion against him on grounds of partiality and bias it raises larger questions about selection of impartial presiding officers for our legislatures," he said

"Parliament must seriously address itself to this question for no house can run if the concerned Presiding officer's conduct is actuated with alleged bias or prejudice," he added.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi and Congress MPs, joined by some INDIA bloc members, greeted BJP members with placards and the national flag, urging them to allow the House to function.

Both Houses of Parliament have witnessed stormy sessions during this winter session, with Opposition MPs pressing to discuss allegations against industrialist Gautam Adani, while the BJP accused the Congress of ties with US billionaire George Soros, claiming attempts to destabilise the country.
The Tuesday proceedings of both Houses were cut short due to disorderly conduct, with heated exchanges between opposition and treasury bench members disrupting the schedule.

The winter session, which began on November 25, experienced early adjournments in both Houses due to disruptions. The session is scheduled to continue until December 20.
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