Parliament in Turmoil: Lok Sabha Adjourned Amid Opposition Demand for Rahul Gandhi's Speech
In a dramatic escalation of parliamentary tensions, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday following three separate disruptions, as the Opposition dug in its heels over Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's insistence on being allowed to speak before the commencement of the Union Budget discussion. The stalemate between the government and Opposition parties led to repeated adjournments, culminating in the House being shut down minutes after reconvening at 2 PM.
Lok Sabha Adjournments and Heated Exchanges
When the Lok Sabha met on Monday afternoon after the second adjournment, Sandhya Ray, who was presiding, called upon Congress member Shashi Tharoor to initiate the debate on the Union Budget. Tharoor, however, deferred, stating that Gandhi, as the Leader of Opposition, should be permitted to raise certain points before he began speaking. Ray responded that she had no objection if Gandhi wished to speak on the Budget and invited him to proceed.
Gandhi then claimed that an agreement had been reached earlier in the day during a meeting between Speaker Om Birla and some Opposition MPs, allowing him to address the House before the Budget discussion. He accused the Chair of backtracking "on its word." Ray countered that she was unaware of any such agreement and emphasized that she could not permit anyone to raise issues without a formal notice being submitted.
At this juncture, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju intervened, asserting that no such agreement existed. He argued that if the Leader of Opposition intended to make remarks about the Speaker, Birla should be present in the House to respond. Rijiju further stated that other members would also speak on the subject, leading to a broader discussion. With neither side willing to compromise, Ray adjourned the House for the day, marking the third adjournment of the session.
Earlier Disruptions and Speaker's Rebuke
Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha witnessed two adjournments as Opposition members raised various issues, demanding immediate attention. Speaker Om Birla, who was in the Chair at the time, advised that these matters could be addressed during the Union Budget discussion. He clarified that all members, including the Leader of Opposition, were free to participate in the debate.
However, with Opposition members refusing to relent, Birla criticized them for "planned" disruptions and urged them to allow the House to function according to established rules. As protests persisted over multiple issues, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings briefly.
When the House reassembled at 12 noon, Opposition parties reiterated their demand for Gandhi to speak before the Budget debate. Krishna Prasad Tenneti, presiding at that moment, called upon Tharoor to start the discussion, but Opposition members stood firm, insisting that Gandhi be given the floor first. This led to further disruptions and ultimately contributed to the day's adjournment.
Rajya Sabha Walkout Over Lok Sabha Issue
The Rajya Sabha also faced significant disruptions on Monday, with Opposition members staging a walkout. The protest was triggered after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to raise the issue of his Lower House counterpart, Rahul Gandhi, being denied the opportunity to speak in the Lok Sabha.
At the beginning of the question hour, before allowing Kharge to speak, Rajya Sabha chairperson C P Radhakrishnan instructed him not to discuss matters pertaining to the other House. Kharge responded, "I am only raising concern about the Constitution..." The chairperson reiterated that the Rajya Sabha could not deliberate on issues from the Lok Sabha, citing a quotation attributed to Jawaharlal Nehru, though the specific reference was not clarified.
Additionally, during the zero hour at 11 AM, DMK member Tiruchi Siva submitted a notice of breach of privilege against Union Minister Piyush Goyal, alleging that Goyal had given an interview about government policy outside Parliament while the session was ongoing. The Chair acknowledged that the matter had been previously discussed and assured that it would be examined later.
The day's events underscore a deepening rift in parliamentary proceedings, with both Houses experiencing significant disruptions over procedural and political disagreements, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the ruling coalition and the Opposition.
