The accusation, alongside a continuing war of words over electoral reforms, dominated Thursday's proceedings, highlighting the tense atmosphere between the ruling coalition and opposition parties.
Accusation of Rule Violation Sparks Uproar
The disruption began when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur raised a point of order, alleging a serious breach of conduct. He claimed that a member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had been "constantly smoking e-cigarettes in the House for the past several days".
Thakur emphasized to Speaker Om Birla that e-cigarettes are banned nationwide under the Electronic Cigarettes (Prohibition) Act, 2019, which makes their production, sale, and use illegal. The allegation prompted loud protests and demands for action from treasury benches, causing a brief spell of chaos in the lower house.
In response, Speaker Birla firmly stated that no rule or precedent allows any Member of Parliament to smoke inside the House. He assured members, "If such an incident is brought to my notice with clarity, appropriate action will follow".
Political Debate Intensifies Over Electoral Reforms
The e-cigarette controversy unfolded against the backdrop of a deepening political clash over election integrity. A heated exchange between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday continued to resonate in Thursday's sessions.
Rahul Gandhi, speaking to reporters, claimed that Amit Shah appeared "very nervous" during their confrontation. "He used the wrong language, his hands were trembling... He is under tremendous mental pressure," Gandhi stated. He reiterated his challenge for a direct debate on his allegations of "vote chori" (vote theft), claiming Shah did not directly answer his questions.
The table below summarizes the core accusations and counter-arguments in the electoral reforms debate:
| Accuser | Main Allegations | Government's Response |
| Rahul Gandhi (Congress) | Collusion between BJP and Election Commission for "vote theft"; Changes in appointment laws and granting immunity to EC. | Amit Shah defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists as a constitutional duty to remove illegal migrants. |
| Trinamool Congress (TMC) | Withholding of central funds for West Bengal, alleging politically motivated discrimination. | The Centre states funds were stopped due to the state's non-compliance with directives. |
Broader Context of Parliamentary Proceedings
Beyond the clashes, the government proceeded with its legislative agenda. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the Appropriation (No. 4) Bill, 2025, seeking approval for additional government spending for the financial year.
Simultaneously, the Trinamool Congress has been staging daily protests in the Parliament complex, demanding the release of what it claims are pending central dues to West Bengal, estimated at over â¹52,000 crore for MGNREGA alone. The Centre maintains that fund release was halted due to the state government's non-compliance with central directives.
The Winter Session, which began on December 1, is scheduled to continue until December 19. With the e-cigarette allegation adding a new layer of controversy and deep disagreements on electoral and fiscal issues unresolved, the session is likely to remain contentious in the days ahead.
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