Opposition Calls for Removal of Rajya Sabha Chairman Citing Alleged Bias
- December 11, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
No Comments
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.