Government Withdraws Own Motion, Supports BJP MP's Bid to Expel Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha
In a significant parliamentary development, the government has decided to withdraw its own proposed motion against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, instead throwing its weight behind a separate notice filed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey seeking Gandhi's expulsion from the Lok Sabha. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju made this announcement on Friday, indicating the governing alliance's unified stance on the matter.
Government Drops Its Proposal, Awaits Decision on Dubey's Motion
"The motion government wanted to bring has been dropped," Rijiju stated clearly, confirming the administration's strategic shift. He explained that the government will now consult with Speaker Om Birla regarding subsequent steps once a decision is reached on Dubey's substantive motion against the Congress leader.
Nishikant Dubey's notice accuses Rahul Gandhi of attempting to "destabilise the country" and attacking national institutions while allegedly collaborating with "anti-India" forces. The BJP parliamentarian has further demanded that Gandhi be barred from contesting future elections, escalating the political confrontation.
Potential Parliamentary Procedures and Committees Involved
Rijiju outlined the possible pathways once Dubey's motion is formally accepted. The matter could be referred to either the privilege committee or the ethics committee for detailed examination, or alternatively, it might be taken up directly for discussion in the Lok Sabha without committee referral.
This development follows Rijiju's earlier statement that the government intended to submit a breach of privilege notice against Gandhi for what it claims were serious, unsubstantiated allegations made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the parliamentary floor.
Contentious Allegations and Political Context
The parliamentary minister accused Gandhi of leveling a series of "baseless allegations" including claims that "the country has been sold." He also criticized Gandhi for referencing assertions from an unpublished book by former army chief General (retired) M.M. Naravane, describing this as improper conduct.
Rahul Gandhi has maintained a defiant posture throughout this controversy, repeatedly asserting that he spoke truthfully and accusing Prime Minister Modi of compromising national interests in trade agreements with the United States. The Congress leader has also consistently criticized the government's handling of border tensions with China.
Historical Precedents and Previous Expulsion
While there are historical instances of Members of Parliament facing expulsion through substantive motions—particularly those involving corruption charges—the nature of allegations against Gandhi places this situation in a distinct category. Substantive motions cover a broad spectrum of matters requiring parliamentary voting.
This is not Gandhi's first experience with parliamentary expulsion. He was removed from the Lok Sabha in 2023 following a defamation conviction by a Gujarat court, though he was subsequently reinstated after the Supreme Court stayed that conviction.
Timeline and Political Reactions
The fate of Dubey's notice is expected to be determined when Parliament reconvenes after the current recess on March 9. The first segment of the Budget session concluded on Friday amid heightened political tensions.
BJP leaders have launched scathing criticisms of Gandhi's parliamentary conduct. Senior BJP figure Ravi Shankar Prasad described Gandhi's behavior as "anarchic, undemocratic and politically uncivilised," expressing concern that the Congress leader's entire approach shows disregard for parliamentary norms, constitutional propriety, and democratic traditions.
Despite Gandhi's aggressive campaign against the BJP and Prime Minister Modi—which has drawn fierce reactions from the governing alliance—political analysts note that this strategy has yielded limited political dividends thus far. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is carefully weighing its options considering the potential political ramifications of pursuing expulsion proceedings.
