BJP Rebukes Kharge for Citing Dhankhar during Radhakrishnan’s Rajya Sabha Welcome

The Rajya Sabha erupted in a contentious exchange on the opening day of the Parliament Winter Session on December 1, 2025, as Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge welcomed new Chairman and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan while referencing the "unexpected and sudden exit" of his predecessor, Jagdeep Dhankhar. Kharge, speaking on behalf of the opposition, congratulated Radhakrishnan on assuming the office, highlighting his journey from humble beginnings and invoking a 1952 speech by India's first Vice President, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, to emphasise the non-partisan nature of the role. He quoted Radhakrishnan stating, "I belong to no party," to underscore that the Chairman must serve as a custodian for the entire House, belonging equally to the government and opposition. However, Kharge's remarks took a pointed turn when he expressed regret over Dhankhar's abrupt resignation on July 21, 2025, citing health concerns, which he described as "unprecedented in the annals of parliamentary history," and lamented the lack of a formal farewell opportunity for the former chairman.

The mention of Dhankhar's departure immediately triggered protests from the Treasury benches, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders accusing Kharge of breaching decorum on a solemn occasion. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sharply criticised the Congress president for introducing an unrelated and potentially divisive topic during Radhakrishnan's welcome, recalling the opposition's earlier no-confidence motions against Dhankhar and labelling the comments as "unkind". Leader of the House J.P. Nadda escalated the rhetoric, advising Kharge to "visit a doctor" to address what he portrayed as political frustrations stemming from recent electoral setbacks in Bihar, Haryana, and Maharashtra. Nadda urged the House to maintain dignity and focus on the agenda, insisting that such grievances be aired elsewhere rather than during ceremonial proceedings attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The skirmish unfolded against the backdrop of Dhankhar's unexpected resignation, which occurred on the first day of the Monsoon Session earlier in the year, prompting Radhakrishnan's swift election on September 9, 2025. A veteran BJP leader and former governor of Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Radhakrishnan secured the vice presidency with 452 votes, defeating the INDIA bloc's candidate Sudarshan Reddy. Dhankhar, who had served as vice president since 2022, stepped down, citing health issues at age 74, a move that fuelled speculation and opposition demands for greater transparency in parliamentary leadership transitions. Kharge also responded to Modi's pre-session remarks outside Parliament, where the prime minister had indirectly critiqued the opposition, assuring cooperative conduct while signalling intent to counter such attacks within the House.

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As the Winter Session commences amid broader debates on economic policies and governance, the episode highlights persistent partisan tensions in India's bicameral legislature, where procedural formalities often intersect with political manoeuvring. While Kharge pledged the opposition's support for smooth proceedings under Radhakrishnan—whom he noted has familial ties to a former Congress MP—the BJP's retorts underscore calls for restraint to preserve institutional integrity. With key bills on the docket, including those related to labour reforms and digital infrastructure, both sides have emphasised the need for productive dialogue, though early disruptions signal potential volatility ahead.

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