Ashish Ranjan
The serious discussion on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha had a moment of levity when the leader of the opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, brought up purported remarks made by the vice president, Jagdeep Dhankhar. Kharge, who was originally reticent to discuss an alleged conversation with Dhankhar, said that the vice president had told him that, in his early days as an attorney, he counted cash with his hands but later purchased a machine when his practise grew. Kharge then requested the chairman of the Rajya Sabha whether he could speak on the matter.
Kharge added, “When his profession grew, he purchased a machine and began using it to count money.”Dhankhar responded with folded hands, “Aisa maine nahi kaha” (I did not say it).
Referring to the Opposition’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Adani issue, the chairman remarked, “It appears you will establish a JPC against me.”This discussion elicited chuckles from the audience.
#WATCH | Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in exchange with LoP Mallikarjun Kharge who is demanding JPC on the Adani issue says, "it seems you will set up a JPC on me."
(Video source: Sansad TV) pic.twitter.com/hGEt7oPeGz
— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2023
Prior to taking office as governor of Bengal in July 2019, Dhankhar was a well-respected Supreme Court senior lawyer. In 1987, he was the youngest person to be elected president of the Rajasthan High Court Bar Association in Jaipur.
During his response to the President’s address, Kharge referred to Prime Minister Modi as “Mauni Baba” and questioned his silence on the Adani matter.
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He said, “I would want to ask the prime minister why you are so quiet. You intimidate everyone else; why don’t you intimidate industrialists?”
“If the PM keeps an eye on those who preach hatred, they will assume they will not receive a ticket this time. Today, though, he has chosen to remain silent. He has evolved into a Mauni Baba “he added.
