Parliament to Debate President's Address Tomorrow; Rahul Gandhi and PM Modi Face-off Likely

The Budget Session of Parliament is set to witness a significant political confrontation as the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address begins on Monday, February 2. Scheduled to start at 12:00 PM in the Lok Sabha, the debate has been allocated a total of 18 hours. This discussion serves as a primary platform for the government to highlight its policy achievements and for the opposition to scrutinize the administration's performance on various national fronts. As per parliamentary tradition, the debate follows the President's joint address to both houses, culminating in a reply by the Prime Minister.

Debate Schedule and Key Speakers

According to the schedule released by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the discussion will be initiated by senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Following his opening remarks, Tejasvi Surya is expected to articulate the party's stance. The treasury benches are prepared to emphasize the developmental milestones mentioned in the President's address. In the Rajya Sabha, the discussion will commence at 2:00 PM on the same day, with Sadanand Master and Medha Vishram Kulkarni leading the charge for the BJP. Other prominent leaders like JP Nadda and Sudhanshu Trivedi are also slated to participate in the upper house proceedings.

Opposition Strategy and Rahul Gandhi's Role

The focus of the opposition's strategy will be centered on the address by the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. Congress sources indicate that Gandhi is likely to speak on February 2 to set the tone for the opposition's critique. Congress Whip Mohammad Javed stated that the party is keen on having Gandhi lead the arguments during this crucial debate. The opposition is expected to corner the government on issues such as unemployment, inflation, the status of MGNREGA, and the ongoing UGC controversies. On top of that, concerns regarding the voter list SIR process are likely to be raised, demanding transparency from the government.

Budgetary Discussions and Legislative Timeline

Following the conclusion of the debate on the President's address, the parliamentary focus will shift to the General Budget 2026-27. Sources suggest that the general discussion on the budget is scheduled for February 5, 9, 10, and 11. A total of 18 hours has been earmarked for this purpose as well. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to provide her reply to the budget discussion on February 11. During the recent all-party meeting, opposition leaders signaled their intent to move beyond fiscal figures and question the government on the implementation of social welfare schemes.

Analytical Perspective and Prime Minister's Reply

According to political analysts, this session will be a litmus test for floor management for both the ruling coalition and the opposition. While the government aims to consolidate its narrative of growth and stability, the opposition seeks to present a united front against alleged administrative lapses. The debate will conclude with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reply in the Lok Sabha on February 4. Subsequently, the Prime Minister will address the Rajya Sabha on February 5. Analysts suggest that the Prime Minister's response will likely outline the government's roadmap for the upcoming fiscal year and address the criticisms leveled during the debate.

So, to wrap up, the upcoming week in Parliament is poised to be one of intense deliberation and democratic scrutiny. The 18-hour window for the President's address debate provides ample time for a comprehensive review of the nation's trajectory. As senior leaders from both sides prepare their arguments, the proceedings will be closely watched for their impact on national policy and political discourse. The ultimate objective remains the formal adoption of the Motion of Thanks, signifying the legislature's engagement with the executive's stated vision.