The Budget Session of Parliament entered its 11th day on Wednesday amid heightened political tensions, with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi scheduled to address the House at 12 pm. His speech comes after days of protests by opposition parties, who have accused the speaker of not allowing him to complete his remarks last week when he referred to former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir.
The controversy began after Gandhi attempted to quote excerpts from General Naravane’s memoir Four Stars of Destiny during a Lok Sabha speech. He cited a 2023 social media post by the former army chief to argue that the book was available for purchase. However, Speaker Om Birla ruled that unpublished material could not be quoted in the House and directed Gandhi to refrain from doing so, triggering sharp reactions from the Opposition.
On Tuesday, opposition parties initiated the process to move a no-confidence motion against Om Birla, alleging that he had acted in a “blatantly partisan” manner. Leaders said the notice was signed by at least 118 MPs from parties including the Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party, Left parties and the RJD. They also urged the Speaker to step aside from presiding over proceedings until the matter is resolved.
Also Read: Speaker Om Birla to Refrain From Presiding Over House After Opposition’s Removal Move
The developments come a day after Opposition MPs staged protests in both houses over the proposed India-US trade deal. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the framework of the agreement, stating that it appeared “far less like a free trade agreement and far more like a pre-committed purchase that overturns the very idea of reciprocity.”
The Budget Session, which commenced on January 28, is scheduled to run for 30 sittings over 65 days and conclude on April 2. Both Houses will adjourn for a recess on February 13 and reconvene on March 9, allowing Standing Committees to examine the Demands for Grants of various ministries and departments.
Also Read: Opposition Targets Speaker Birla In No-Confidence Bid Over Rahul Gandhi Book Excerpts