.......And They Move No-Confidence Motion

The Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc moved a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar Tuesday morning, alleging partisan functioning of the House.

According to sources, all opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Samajwadi Party (SP), have signed the motion, which was moved under Article 67(B) of the Constitution. TMC claimed that a total of 71 MPs had signed the motion.

According to the rulebook, the motion to remove Dhankar must be passed by a simple majority - i.e., 50 percent + one - of voting Rajya Sabha MPs. It must then pass the Lok Sabha by a similar margin. Since the opposition does not have a clear majority, Dhankhar is unlikely to be sacked.

The notice was submitted shortly after chaos in both Houses - as Bharatiya Janata Party MPs and those from the opposition clashed over various issues, including the Modi-Adani link and alleged links between Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and businessman George Soros - prompted Parliament to adjourn for the day.

INDIA bloc leaders had earlier said the opposition parties had required signatures from all INDIA bloc parties in August itself but did not move as they decided to give Dhankhar “another chance but his conduct on Monday" convinced them to go ahead with it.