Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday shared a series of light-hearted exchanges during the proceedings in the Upper House of Parliament.
This came just two days after Dhankar expressed his disappointment with Kharge for trooping into the Well of the House during an opposition protest.
The friendly exchange came during Kharge’s address in response to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha, where he mentioned his difficulty in standing due to foot pain.
In response, Dhankar allowed him to speak while seated. “You may address the House while sitting,” Dhankar said, adding humorously, “We have to ensure you are comfortable while addressing the House. If the physical disability or pain is of that extent that here and outside you are unable to stand, then you make take your own call.”
Kharge, smiling, noted that speeches delivered while seated lack the passion of those given while standing. Dhankar agreed, laughing, and remarked that there is no ‘jazba’ (passion) while sitting. “Kharge ji, I have helped you with this matter. I have kept your jazba (passion) alive,” he noted.
Kharge responded light-heartedly, “Sometimes you keep helping us, and remember you too.”
During the debate, Kharge thanked the Rajya Sabha Chairman for allowing him to participate, prompting laughter from some members of the treasury benches. When Kharge inquired why they were laughing, he jested, “This is how they mislead me,” and added, “The Chairman also misleads me.”
Dhankar, joining in the humour, suggested that the comment be removed from the record. “Let’s delete this from the record that I also do the same,” he said.
This light-hearted interaction stood in stark contrast to Friday’s events, where Kharge’s entry into the Well of the Rajya Sabha during a protest over paper leaks drew sharp criticism from Dhankar.
Dhankar called it a “stain” on parliamentary tradition, expressing his pain and surprise at the unprecedented action by a leader of the opposition.
“I am pained and surprised that Indian parliamentary tradition will stoop so low that the leader of the opposition will troop into the Well,” Dhankar stated, before adjourning the proceedings till 2 pm.
(With inputs from PTI)
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