Rajya Sabha: Kharge Accuses Dhankar Of Defending PM Modi; He Responds, 'India Is Rising As Never Before'

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Leader of Opposition in the Upper House of Parliament Mallikarjun Kharge engaged in a heated exchange over the former's refusal to summon the Prime Minister for a discussion on Manipur.

Both the Opposition and the Government had agreed to hold a discussion on the violence in Manipur.

Chairman Dhankhar announced that he would convene a meeting with the floor leaders of various parties at 1 pm to “accommodate a discussion on Manipur irrespective of time constraint and irrespective of other constraints".

In response, Kharge suggested adjourning the House until 1 pm.

Kharge went on to say, “Sir, you don’t agree to such small requests. We asked for Prime Minister to come, you didn’t agree to that also. You are defending the PM so much… I don’t understand", reports Indian Express.

RS Chairman Dhankhar countered Kharge's remarks, stating, “Our Prime Minister is not required to be defended by me. He has come to be recognised on global platforms - Senate and Congress in the US… Every Indian should be proud of him… Why are you shirking from the hard reality, India is rising as never before? The rise is unstoppable… everyone has contributed to it... I am not required to defend anyone".

“After three decades of coalition governments, under the leadership of Prime Minister, you had 2014, you had 2019 electoral results. I am not required to defend anyone. I am required to defend Constitution. I am required to defend your rights,” Dhankhar added.

He also stated that such an observation coming the Leader of Opposition was "not very wholesome".

Earlier on Wednesday, Dhankhar told the Opposition that he could not and would not direct Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be present in the House as it was PM's prerogative like any other MP to come to the House.