Proceedings on the seventh day of Parliament’s Budget Session were repeatedly interrupted soon after the House convened. Opposition MPs raised slogans, prompting Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the Lok Sabha multiple times within minutes. Despite the disruptions, the Motion of Thanks was passed, and the House was adjourned till later in the day.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the Opposition would not allow the Prime Minister to speak until Rahul Gandhi was permitted to address the House. “Until the LoP is allowed to speak, the Prime Minister will not be allowed to speak,” he said, accusing the government of stifling debate.
The issue spilled over into the Rajya Sabha, where Opposition members protested restrictions placed on Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge while quoting from a published book by a former Army Chief. Kharge said Rahul Gandhi was prevented from speaking in the Lok Sabha on matters of national interest, questioning the functioning of Parliament. Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and JP Nadda countered the charge, asserting that parliamentary rules were being followed and that proceedings of one House could not be raised in the other.
Speaker Om Birla later condemned the disruptions, referring to an incident on February 4 in which Opposition MPs approached the Prime Minister’s seat. He said the move was “condemnable” and claimed there was a security concern, prompting him to request the Prime Minister not to enter the House at that time.
Congress leaders sharpened their criticism. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the Prime Minister of “hiding behind the Speaker” and alleged the government was unwilling to face discussion. Other Opposition MPs, including Shashi Tharoor, said the LoP should be allowed to speak, noting that the material Rahul Gandhi intended to cite was already in the public domain.
The government, however, maintained that adequate opportunities had been provided. Rijiju said Rahul Gandhi was allotted time but exceeded limits, while BJP leaders accused the Opposition of deliberately obstructing proceedings.
With the Lok Sabha adjourned, the Prime Minister is expected to address the Rajya Sabha later in the day. The episode underscores deepening friction between the government and the Opposition during the Budget Session, raising concerns over legislative business as several key bills await discussion.
