In a significant legislative development, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address without the customary concluding speech by the Prime Minister. This marks the first time since 2004 that such a motion has been adopted without the Prime Minister's reply. The proceedings were characterized by persistent opposition protests and slogans, leading to a breakdown in the standard parliamentary protocol for the Motion of Thanks.
Historical Precedent and the 2004 Incident
The last time a similar situation occurred was on June 10, 2004, during the tenure of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. At that time, opposition disruptions prevented the Prime Minister from delivering his address, forcing the House to pass the motion without the leader's reply. The recurrence of this event after 20 years highlights the deepening divide between the treasury and opposition benches in the current parliamentary session.
Parliamentary Disruptions and Key National Issues
The seventh day of the Budget Session saw immediate disruptions as the House convened, while m. Naravane's book and the potential trade deal between India and the United States. Due to the continuous shouting of slogans and protests in the well of the House, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the proceedings until 2:00 PM. The opposition has accused the government of bypassing detailed discussions on sensitive national security and economic matters.
Social Concerns Raised in Rajya Sabha
While the Lok Sabha focused on legislative motions, the Rajya Sabha witnessed discussions on critical social issues. Aam Aadmi Party MP Sandeep Pathak raised the alarming issue of missing children across India, particularly in Delhi. Citing statistics, he stated that a child goes missing every eight minutes in the country, while pathak called for stringent measures to combat human trafficking. Simultaneously, the Upper House also saw protests regarding the alleged restriction on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's speech in the Lok Sabha.
Opposition Stance and Legislative Impact
Congress MP Manickam Tagore stated that the opposition wouldn't allow the Prime Minister to speak until the Leader of the Opposition is given a fair opportunity to present his views. Tagore criticized the passage of the Motion of Thanks under such circumstances, calling it a disregard for parliamentary traditions. According to political analysts, this deadlock signifies a challenging road ahead for the remainder of the Budget Session, where crucial financial bills are slated for discussion. The government now aims to transition the focus toward the Union Budget despite the prevailing political friction.