Opposition Calls for Removal of Rajya Sabha Chairman Citing Alleged Bias

  • December 11, 2024
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Opposition Calls for Removal of Rajya Sabha Chairman Citing Alleged Bias

Sub: Polity

Sec: legislation in news

Why in News

  • The Opposition in the Rajya Sabha has initiated an unprecedented move to remove the Vice-President and Chairman of the Upper House, citing allegations of bias. This marks a significant political development, as such a request for removal of a sitting Rajya Sabha Chairperson has never been witnessed before.

Background:

  • Nearly 60 MPs from the INDIA bloc submitted a notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General, P.C. Mody, on December 5, 2024.
  • The Opposition accused Vice-President Dhankhar of conducting the House proceedings in an “extremely biased” manner since assuming office in August 2022.

About Vice President:

  • The Vice President shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation.
  • Members of the state legislative assembly do not participate in the vice president election.
  • Article 63: Establishes the office of the Vice-President.
  • Article 64: States that the Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
  • Article 65: Details the Vice-President’s role as Acting President during the absence, resignation, removal, or death of the President.
  • Article 66: Lays down the election process for the Vice-President.
    • Electoral College: Comprises members of both Houses of Parliament.
    • Voting System: Proportional representation through a single transferable vote.
  • Article 67: Specifies the procedure for the removal of the Vice-President.
    • Requires a resolution passed by an absolute majority and a two-thirds majority of members present and voting in the Rajya Sabha.
  • Article 68: Provides for the timeline of elections to fill a vacancy in the office of the Vice-President.

What is the process of removal of the Vice President?

  • The Vice-President can be removed from office by a resolution of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), passed by a majority of its members at that time and agreed to by the House of the People (Lok Sabha). A resolution for this purpose may be moved only after a notice of at least a minimum of 14 days has been given of such an intention.
Opposition Calls for Removal of Rajya Sabha Chairman Citing Alleged Bias Polity