A day before the monsoon session of Parliament begins, Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has called on all political parties to maintain harmony and respect. The monsoon session, which will run from July 21 to August 21, is expected to be tense as the opposition plans to target the Centre over several issues, including the controversial voter list revision in Bihar, the Pahalgam terror attack, and US President Donald Trump’s claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
“Politics Is Not Confrontation”
Speaking at the Rajya Sabha Internship Programme (RSIP) event, Dhankhar said politics should be constructive and not confrontational. He urged parties to respect each other and avoid personal attacks. “Politics is not confrontation; I cannot imagine a political party being against the concept of Bharat,” he said. Dhankhar also criticized the use of harsh language in TV debates, asking, “Isn’t it tiring to the ears? Our ears are fed up, aren’t they?”
He added that disagreements are natural but bitterness should be avoided. Dhankhar expressed hope for “meaningful and serious deliberations” during the upcoming session.
Tensions with the Opposition
The opposition, however, is prepared to corner the government on multiple issues and is unlikely to soften its stand. The Rajya Sabha has seen some of the worst confrontations in recent years, and opposition parties have previously attempted to move an impeachment motion against Dhankhar, which was rejected on technical grounds.
Relations between Dhankhar and some opposition parties, especially the Trinamool Congress (TMC), remain strained. TMC MPs have often criticized him, and an incident where MP Kalyan Banerjee mimicked Dhankhar, while leaders like Rahul Gandhi looked on, worsened the tensions. The opposition has accused Dhankhar of favoring the ruling party.
Outlook for the Session
Despite the hostility, Dhankhar has been meeting opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc to ensure the monsoon session runs smoothly. However, with upcoming elections in Bihar and West Bengal, political tempers are high. Sources suggest that the opposition might consider another impeachment motion against Dhankhar, accusing him of not taking action against ruling party members.
