The Rajya Sabha saw a heated moment between Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and TMC MP Derek O'Brien during the debate on the Delhi Services Bill, which was later passed by the House. As O'Brien started making allegations against the Central government over other issues, Dhankhar accused him of doing "theatrics" in the House to gain publicity.
"This has become your habit. You are doing this as part of a strategy. You think you will enjoy publicity outside. You ravaged this House. Sit down," Dhankhar told O'Brien.
"Are you here for dramatics, theatrics, is it your oath... such outsmarting never pays...Here is a member who is here for personal publicity. I take strong note of this," an upset Dhankhar said.
The Rajya Sabha Chairman also expunged some of O'Brien's remarks. Dhankhar got upset after O'Brien, pointing towards the treasury benches, said that they cannot be allowed a free run.
"I stand here to strongly oppose this bill. Mr Narendra Modi is a child of federalism. He was a chief minister before coming to Delhi," O'Brien said. He asked why would a "child of democracy mutilate democracy".
"Why would a child of federalism come to Parliament and ensure that about one-third of the bills passed here are anti-federal? Why would a child of federalism sanction Rs 40,000 crore as a special budget for higher education and give only Rs 700 crore to state universities?" he said.
Accusing the Centre of following "transactional federalism", the TMC MP said, "We will oppose the bill whether you give us Rs 12,000 crore which you owe us. Transactional federalism will not work. We will hold a big rally on October 12 to press for our Rs 12,000 crore."
He added, "You are sending 160 delegations in 30 months. What do you do in BJP states...how many delegations you have sent to Uttar Pradesh, having the highest number of murders in the country, to Assam, with the highest crime against women, and to Madhya Pradesh, with the highest crime against children."
Dhankhar asked the MP to talk only about the bill in his speech, but O'Brien replied by saying, "This is a political house, we will make political points," PTI reported.
Dhankhar then asked him to sit down while saying that such kind of behaviour won't benefit anyone but the MP refused to yield after which the Chairman said, "I will not allow this theatrics."
O'Brien took a jibe at BJP's remarks on dynastic politics and dared the government to introduce a bill to ensure that only one member from a family can be a member of the House.
After this remark, the treasury benches started protesting due to which the TMC MP couldn't speak further. Dhankhar, standing up, intervened and asked the TMC MP to leave the House. He also termed the MP's conduct as "most ignoble".