Radhakrishnan urged to be impartial as he chairs first Rajya Sabha session

Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan received rich tributes across party lines as he presided over his first session on Monday (December 1, 2025). Opposition leaders urged him to remain impartial and maintain a balance between the two sides.

The otherwise cordial debate saw a flashpoint when Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge referred to the “unexpected and sudden exit” of Mr. Radhakrishnan’s predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar, triggering loud protests from the treasury benches.

Replying to the felicitations, Mr. Radhakrishnan said his humble journey from Tiruppur, the knitwear capital, to New Delhi, the national capital, shows the remarkable power of democracy. “This rise makes me more conscious of the duties and responsibilities of the Chair,” he said. “Let us commit ourselves to ensuring that our actions inside this House reflect the aspirations of every farmer, every worker, every street vendor, every woman and youth, and the poorest of the poor who look at the Parliament with lot of hopes,” the Vice-President added.

Opening the felicitation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Mr. Radhakrishnan’s journey from a modest farming background to a key constitutional post as a reflection of the strength of Indian democracy. He described the Chairman’s life as one of “unwavering dedication to social service”, noting that political office was only one aspect of his public contribution. “His journey inspires all who seek to serve society,” Mr. Modi said.

The Prime Minister recalled Mr. Radhakrishnan’s tenure as Governor of multiple States and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, highlighting his outreach to local communities, often defying protocol. He cited Mr. Radhakrishnan’s visits to remote villages in Jharkhand and recounted his survival of a near-drowning incident in childhood and a bomb blast in Coimbatore, experiences that shaped his commitment to public service. Mr. Modi expressed confidence that under the Vice-President’s leadership, the Rajya Sabha would uphold its dignity and contribute to national progress.

Mr. Kharge, while welcoming the new Chairman, said, “The Chairman belongs as much to the Opposition as to the government.” He expressed regret that the House could not bid farewell to the outgoing Chairman. “I am constrained to refer to your predecessor’s unexpected and sudden exit from the office of Chairman, which is unprecedented in the annals of Parliamentary history… ,” Mr. Kharge said, triggering uproar from ruling party benches. “I was disheartened that this House did not get an opportunity to give him a farewell,” he said.

Treasury benches immediately rose in protest. Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju interjected to say that such references are unnecessary and urged Mr. Radhakrishnan to “keep a balance between both sides.” He also noted Mr. Radhakrishnan’s family ties to former Congress MP C.K. Kuppuswamy.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien wished Mr. Radhakrishnan good health and urged him to safeguard federalism. Calling him the “custodian of the Council of States”, he flagged concerns over declining sittings of Parliament and reduced opportunities for discussion. The average number of sittings per session is now below 20 days, this session has just 15, he said. The MP said there are certain “vital parameters” which can determine the health of Parliamentary democracy and mentioned that the average number of sittings of Parliament has been coming down. “The second parameter – discussion on various issues allowed by the Chair. Between 2009 and 2016, 110 discussions were allowed. In the last eight years, it’s down to 36 discussions…” he said.

Rajya Sabha member John Brittas voiced concern over Bills being passed in haste, noting that in 2019 and 2024, 34% of Bills were cleared with less than an hour of debate, and 60% with under two hours. “Is this what Ambedkar envisaged,” he asked, urging the Chair to restore standards of debate. “From 135 sittings a year, we are down to 55,” he added.