Uproar at Jayant Chaudhary's 'out of turn' speech in Upper House

The Rajya Sabha witnessed an uproar on the last day of the session and allegations were flying from both the treasury as well as opposition benches.

It all started with upper house chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar allowing Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) MP Jayant Chaudhary to speak in the House. Chaudhary started speaking about the Bharat Ratna given to his grandfather and former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh.

"I am indebted. Only a government which is rooted to ground realities understands the voices from the ground and strengthens them, can honour 'Dhartiputra' Charan Singh with Bharat Ratna," Jayant Chaudhary said. He heaped praises on PM Narendra Modi and said that he could see a resemblance of Chaudhary Charan Singh in his (PM Modi's) action.


The opposition members interrupted in the middle of Chaudhary's speech and the chairman allowed leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to speak.

"There is no debate on honouring leaders with Bharat Ratna. I salute everyone. But if a member wants to raise an issue, you (chairman) ask 'under which rule'. (I want to know) under which rule he (Jayant Chaudhary) has been allowed to speak. Give permission to us also. On one side you talk about rules. You have discretion...that discretion should be used judiciously and not when you want...," Kharge said, leading to a huge uproar in the House.