'Need to Move Ahead': VP Dhankhar Invites Mallikarjun Kharge to His Residence on Christmas

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has invited Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to his residence on December 25 (Monday) for an interaction on the issue of disruptions in Parliament and the suspension of opposition MPs.

In a letter on Saturday, Dhankhar said despite his repeated requests, such a meeting could not happen during the Winter session.

The vice president said the disorder in the House was deliberate and part of a strategy. “I do not seek to embarrass you by indicating the predetermined role of the main opposition party in this communication, but will share with you when I have the benefit of interaction with you,” he said.

In the letter VP wrote, “We need to move ahead” and invited him for an interaction on December 25 “or a time of your convenience” at his official residence.

Responding to Kharge’s December 22 letter, the Rajya Sabha chairperson said he wished that the Congress leader’s assertion that “we firmly believe in fostering dialogue and discussion” was reflected in actions in the House.

“During the entire session, despite my repeated requests, in the House and by way of written communications to secure your indulgence for interaction, the same did not fructify,” he wrote.

Dhankhar said the premise of suspensions, contrary to Kharge’s stance, was deliberate disorder in the House by way of sloganeering, raising placards, entering the well of the House, and gesticulating towards the Chair.

“Before taking the unpleasant step, all efforts and initiatives were exhausted at my end to secure order in the House, including by way of brief adjournments and seeking interactions in my Chamber,” he said.

KHARGE WRITES LETTER TO VP

On Friday, Kharge informed Dhankhar that the fundamental tenets of India’s parliamentary democracy were being jeopardized by the widespread suspension of MPs.

Kharge had expressed in his letter to Dhankhar his frustration and disheartenment at the suspension of so many MPs, as well as his grief and agony.

The Congress president was responding to an earlier letter by Dhankhar in which he had said rendering the House dysfunctional by making a demand to the Chair that cannot be acceded was unfortunate and against public interest.

WINTER SESSION OF PARLIAMENT

The Winter session of Parliament ended a day early, with the Rajya Sabha being adjourned sine die on Thursday.

46 MPs were suspended from the Rajya Sabha during the Winter session due to disruptive conduct.

The Winter session was supposed to end on December 22, however it started on December 4.

(with PTI inputs)