The Lok Sabha witnessed intense exchanges on Wednesday as the debate on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla entered its second day. Senior BJP leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad strongly refuted allegations made by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, while the proceedings of the second phase of the Budget Session have been marked by continuous disruptions and adjournments as both the treasury and opposition benches remained locked in a verbal standoff.
Ravi Shankar Prasad Defends Prime Minister's Stature
Addressing the House, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad responded to the remarks made by Rahul Gandhi regarding the Prime Minister. Prasad stated that the Prime Minister of India can never be compromised, emphasizing the constitutional significance and dignity of the office. He reminded the Leader of the Opposition that making unsubstantiated claims against the head of the government is against parliamentary decorum. Prasad's intervention came after several opposition members raised questions about the government's functioning and the Speaker's role in conducting the House.
Rahul Gandhi Alleges Suppression of Voice in Parliament
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi claimed that he's frequently obstructed from speaking during parliamentary sessions. He described the House as the expression of the Indian people, representing the entire nation rather than a single political party. Gandhi alleged that whenever he rises to speak, he's silenced. He further mentioned that his previous queries regarding certain decisions by the Prime Minister were met with personal attacks and absurd remarks. He maintained that the opposition has a right to seek accountability on behalf of the citizens.
Exchange Between Kiren Rijiju and Priyanka Gandhi
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized Rahul Gandhi for allegedly ignoring parliamentary rules. Rijiju pointed out that no member can speak in the House without the explicit permission of the Speaker. He questioned why senior opposition leaders had not informed Gandhi about these basic protocols. In response, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra defended her brother, stating that Rahul Gandhi has remained steadfast against the ruling party for the past 12 years. She asserted that he speaks the truth, which the government finds difficult to digest.
Public Welfare Issues and Telecom Policies Raised
The debate also touched upon socio-economic issues affecting the common man. Priyanka Gandhi highlighted the rise in unemployment and the increasing prices of essential commodities, including LPG, over the last 10 years. She argued that the House should focus on these pressing matters, while On top of that, AAP MP Raghav Chadha raised the issue of prepaid mobile consumers. He demanded that incoming call services should remain active for at least 1 year after the expiry of a recharge, calling the current policies of telecom companies arbitrary and unfair to the general public.
Parliamentary Schedule and Home Minister's Response
25 hours being allotted for the debate. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to participate in the discussion and provide a formal response on Wednesday. Meanwhile, JMM MP Mahua Majhi expressed concerns over fuel and LPG shortages in various parts of the country, urging the Prime Minister to take the opposition into confidence for a serious deliberation on these crises.