The Opposition is attempting to remove Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman, accusing him of steering the House with a “partisan bias”. After toying with the idea during the Monsoon Session in August 2024, the Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha submitted a notice to move a motion of no-confidence against the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
- The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The removal of the Chairman would, in effect, result in the removal of the Vice President of India.
- Vice President’s Removal (Article 67(b)):
- The Vice President serves a five-year term but can resign by submitting a letter to the President or be removed from office.
- Removal requires:
- A resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
- Agreement to the resolution by the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
- A 14-day notice of the intention to move the resolution is mandatory.
- After the notice period, the Rajya Sabha debates and votes on the resolution, followed by consideration in the Lok Sabha.
- Rajya Sabha Chairperson:
- By virtue of being the Vice President, the individual is ex officio the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, tying their roles and making their removal process identical.
- President’s Impeachment (Article 61):
- The process involves:
- Passing a charge resolution in either House of Parliament by at least a two-thirds majority of the total membership.
- The other House then investigates or causes an investigation of the charge.
- The President has the right to appear and be represented during this investigation.
- If the charge is substantiated, the President can be impeached.
- The process involves:
The differences between the removal of the Vice President and the impeachment of the President lie in the procedural specifics and the thresholds of majority required. While the President’s impeachment is a more elaborate process involving investigation, the Vice President’s removal primarily involves resolutions in both Houses.
