In an unprecedented move in Indian parliamentary history, opposition parties on Tuesday initiated proceedings to impeach Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, accusing him of partisanship in his role as chairman of the upper house of parliament.
The vice president, who also holds India’s second-highest constitutional office and steps in as acting president when needed, has faced criticism from opposition leaders for allegedly favoring the government in parliamentary proceedings. Dhankhar’s office has not issued a comment on the matter.
Jairam Ramesh, spokesman for the main opposition Congress party, announced the decision, calling it a “painful” but necessary step to protect parliamentary democracy. He stated that the opposition had “no option but to formally submit a no-confidence motion” against Dhankhar due to his “extremely partisan manner” in conducting the council of states’ proceedings.
Although largely symbolic, as the opposition lacks the votes needed to remove Dhankhar, the motion underscores the growing rift between opposition parties and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Dhankhar was elected to the vice presidency as a candidate of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Parliament’s current winter session, which began on November 25 and is set to adjourn on December 20, has been marred by disruptions. Contentious issues include bribery allegations against billionaire Gautam Adani, religious tensions in northern India, and ethnic violence in Manipur.
The impeachment motion, requiring a 14-day notice, is unlikely to be addressed in the current session. The BJP has yet to issue a response.
This move reflects the deepening divide in Indian politics, as opposition parties push back against what they see as a growing imbalance in the nation’s democratic processes.
Melissa Enoch
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