Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Leader of the House Mallikarjun Kharge engaged in a light-hearted banter on Thursday during a discussion on the Manipur issue.
Congress president Kharge, while insisting on discussion on the Manipur violence, under Rule 267 said it should not be made a prestige issue. "Maybe you got angry yesterday," Kharge told Dhankhar.
While Dhankhar has allowed short-duration discussion on the Manipur violence issue under Rule 176, the opposition has been firm in its demand that the discussion be held under Rule 267, which entails suspension of all other business.
Replying to Kharge, Dhankhar said, "I am married for 45 years, I do not get angry. Even as lawyers, we do not have the right to get angry."
In response, Kharge said, "You may not express it but you get angry from inside."
The Congress president further accused Dhankhar of defending the Prime Minister over the Opposition's demand on Manipur debate.
"The PM is not required to be defended by me. I am not required to defend anyone. I am required to defend the Constitution…your rights. Such an observation from LoP is not very wholesome," Dhankhar further said.
Opposition leaders later staged a walkout in protest.
Ever since Parliament Monsson session started on July 20, proceedings in both Houses have been hit due to ruckus by Opposition parties, who have remained steadfast over their demand for a statement by the Prime Minister.
However, the ruling BJP has agreed to a short-duration discussion on Manipur and a response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
On Wednesday, Dhankhar categorically said he cannot issue a directive to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come to the House and give a statement, PTI reported.
"I had in categorical terms indicated very firmly on a proper constitutional premise and precedent that from this Chair I will be violating my oath if I impart a directive for the presence of the Prime Minister. That has never been done," Dhankhar said.
"If the Prime Minister wants to come, like everyone else, it is his prerogative. From this Chair a directive of this nature, which has never been issued, will not be issued," he further said.
The Rajya Sabha chiarman's response came after Kharge said he had given eight points in his notice underlining why the discussion on the Manipur issue should be held under Rule 267 and the Prime Minister should make a statement in the House.