Tensions Flare in Lok Sabha Over Speaker’s Removal and Budget 2026
GG News Bureau
New Delhi,11th February : The Lok Sabha witnessed a stormy start on Wednesday as the Opposition continued its aggressive stance against the government and the Chair. The proceedings, which began with the Question Hour, were frequently interrupted by sloganeering, eventually leading to a heated debate on the Union Budget 2026-27.
Speaker Steps Aside on Moral Grounds
In a significant constitutional development, Speaker Om Birla has decided to stay away from the House proceedings. Citing “moral grounds,” Birla stated he would not preside over the sessions until the Opposition’s notice for his removal is formally disposed of.
The Speaker has directed the Lok Sabha Secretariat to rectify technical “shortcomings” in the Opposition’s notice to ensure the process follows parliamentary rules. This notice, signed by over 118 MPs, accuses the Chair of being “partisan.”
Trade Deal Dominates Budget Debate
As the discussion on the Union Budget got underway, the Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, shifted its focus toward the recent India-US interim trade deal. Gandhi alleged that the deal compromises India’s strategic autonomy and hurts the agricultural sector by opening markets to American produce without reciprocal benefits.
The Root of the Conflict
The current impasse dates back to February 2, when the Chair disallowed Rahul Gandhi from quoting an article based on former Army Chief M.M. Naravane’s unpublished memoir. The government argued that referencing such sensitive, unpublished material regarding the 2020 India-China conflict violates House decorum.
Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, the day began with the Zero Hour, where members raised various issues of public importance despite the prevailing tension in the Lower House.
