NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon on Thursday following continuous sloganeering and protests by Opposition members, further disrupting the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament.
The House assembled at 11 am but could function only briefly before the Speaker adjourned proceedings amid rising tensions between the treasury benches and the Opposition.
Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc raised slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre, alleging that Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to speak in the House.
The protests spilled outside Parliament as eight suspended MPs staged a demonstration near the Makar Dwar, holding placards and raising slogans against the government.
The Opposition’s protest follows a meeting of Opposition leaders at the office of Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to finalise their floor strategy for the day. Rahul Gandhi was present at the meeting.
The Opposition has been demanding a discussion on issues linked to former Army chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir, particularly references to the 2020 India-China standoff.
Amid repeated disruptions in the Lok Sabha, sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi may skip replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Lower House. Instead, he is expected to respond in the Rajya Sabha, where the discussion concluded without major interruptions. The government is reportedly planning to ensure that the Motion of Thanks is passed in both Houses on the same day, even if normal proceedings do not resume in the Lok Sabha.
Meanwhile, sharp exchanges were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha, with Mallikarjun Kharge questioning alleged restrictions on discussing matters of national importance in Parliament. Responding to his remarks, Union Minister JP Nadda said the Opposition had stalled the Lok Sabha and stressed that its proceedings could not be debated in the Upper House.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also urged all MPs to adhere to parliamentary rules and traditions, calling for decorum during proceedings.
The Motion of Thanks follows President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament on January 28, marking the beginning of the Budget Session.