Ruckus in Parliament over Kharge's remarks on Dhankhar's exit, BJP says 'don't forget unkind words you used'

Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday welcomed the new chairman of the Upper House

Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday welcomed the new chairman of the Upper House but said "Jagdeep Dhankhar's exit was unprecedented".

Addressing the House, Kharge said, “Constrained to refer to your predecessor's (Jagdeep Dhankhar) unexpected and sudden exit, which is unprecedented in Parliament history; the House did not get the opportunity to bid him farewell.”

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.

Responding to  Kharge, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju  said he wanted want to remind the House the language ythe Congress used to insult the former Vice President and the former Chairman. "The unkind words you used about the former Chairman. The removal motion you served, a copy of which we still have. The language you used against the former Vice President. The words you used in the removal notice, just think how much you have tarnished the dignity of the Chair. On this solemn occasion, my appeal is, please do not refer to anything which is not necessary on this solemn occasion."," he said.

Rijiju also 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.

Earlier on Monday, Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of avoiding core public issues on the first day of the Winter Session, alleging that the government has spent 11 years “crushing parliamentary norms” and replacing debate with “theatrics”.