On Day 1 in Rajya Sabha: Radhakrishnan's message to oppn and oppn's message to Radhakrishnan

In his maiden speech on Monday on the first day of Parliament's winter session, Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan urged members to uphold the Constitution and follow norms and "Lakshman Rekha" of parliamentary discourse. On the other hand, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge assured Radhakrishnan of cooperation from Congress in the smooth conduct of the House but also urged him to treat the Opposition and Treasury benches equally.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended a warm welcome to Radhakrishnan, who is also the Vice President, as he initiated his maiden proceedings on Monday. PM Modi reflected on Radhakrishnan's long public life and recounted several instances from his life that shaped his life-long resolve to serve the people.

The banter between Radhakrishnan and opposition members became the highlight of the first day of winter session, especially since the hurried exit of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar became the talking point of the previous monsoon session, leading to several disruptions.

'Keep within Lakshman Rekha'

In his inaugural address, the Rajya Sabha chairman said assured that all voices will be heard in the House but reminded the members to respect the Lakshman Rejha.

He said the Upper House has a vast amount of business to transact, and the time will be a challenging factor for both the members and the chair.

"Everyone, be it the chairman or the members, we all should understand our responsibilities towards the nation. The Constitution of India, along with the rules books of the Rajya Sabha, determines the Lakshmana Rekha for parliamentary discourse. Every individual member's rights must be ensured, but within the Lakshman Rekha, as I mentioned. I will always do my best to protect all your rightful claims," Radhakrishnan said.

He said that Parliamentary practice and procedures such as question hour, zero hour and special mentions provide ample opportunities to every individual member to raise the pressing issues and concerns of the citizens in the House.

"Let us commit ourselves to ensuring that our actions inside this House reflect the aspirations of every farmer, every worker, every street vendor, every woman and youth and the poorest of the poor who look at the Parliament with a lot of hope. We need to fulfil our constitutional commitment towards social justice and economic empowerment of scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, backward classes and the other weaker sections of the society," Radhakrishnan said.

'Fair and impartial conduct'

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Kharge urged the Vice President to treat the Opposition and Treasury benches equally in his role as the Chairman.

As the Rajya Sabha members felicitated the Vice President, who is also the Chairman of the Upper House, on his first day in the Chair, Kharge also remembered Radhakrishnan’s predecessor, former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, triggering protests from the treasury benches.

Welcoming the Chairman on behalf of the Opposition parties, Kharge said the Congress “staunchly stands by Constitutional values and time-honoured Parliamentary traditions… be assured of our cooperation in the conduct of proceedings”.

“Fair and impartial conduct of proceedings, providing just opportunity to members of each party, is essential for credibility of this office,” Kharge said.

He referred to Dhankhar, who had resigned from the post of Vice-President on July 21 over health issues.

“I am constrained to refer to your predecessor’s unexpected and sudden exit from the office of Chairman Rajya… I was disheartened that this House did not get an opportunity to give him a farewell,” he said, triggering protests from the treasury benches.

Kharge urged the Chairman to ensure a balance between the Treasury and Opposition sides.

“Better if you keep a balance between both sides. I wish you a successful term,” he said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed the Leader of Opposition for mentioning Dhankhar’s resignation on the “solemn occasion”.

“Why did the honourable Leader of Opposition refer to a case which was not necessary to be raised at this moment…” Rijiju said.