During the intense debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge shared several lighthearted moments in the House on Monday.
During the debate, when Kharge stood up to speak, he mentioned that he couldn’t stand for long due to foot pain. In response, the Chairman quickly remarked, “You may address the House while sitting.”
Kharge said he would sit only if the Chairman allows and Dhankhar replied, “We have to ensure you are comfortable while addressing the House. If the physical disability or pain is of that extent that here and outside you are unable to stand, then you make take your own call.”
Smiling at the Chairman’s reply, Kharge commented that a speech delivered while seated lacks the intensity of one given while standing. The Chairman concurred and laughed, noting that there is no ‘jazba’ (passion) when speaking from a seated position.
“Kharge ji, I have helped you with this matter. I have kept your jazba (passion) alive,” said Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and the Leader of Opposition too responded with humour, “Sometimes you keep helping us, and remember you too.”
The amicable exchange between the two prompted laughter in the Upper House of Parliament.
When Kharge thanked the Chairman for allowing him to participate in the debate, some members from the treasury benches began laughing, leading Kharge to ask why they were laughing.
“This is how they mislead me,” said Kharge and everyone laughed again in the House. Kharge then added, “The Chairman also misleads me.”
Chairman replied, “Let’s delete this from the record that I also do the same.”
Last Friday, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge entered the Well of the Rajya Sabha during a protest over paper leaks. This action drew severe criticism from Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, who noted it was the first time someone in Kharge’s position had done such a thing, calling it a “stain” on Parliament.