Lok Sabha adopts Motion of Thanks on President’s Address without PM reply

The Lok Sabha earlier reconvened at 11 am but was immediately adjourned as opposition MPs continued to protest over various issues. The Lower House later resumed proceedings at 12 noon and was again adjourned till 2 pm after adopting the motion amid sloganeering by Opposition members.

It has been reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha around 5 pm today.

In the Rajya Sabha, a fiery exchange of words took place between the Treasury and Opposition benches.

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised the issue of Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to speak in the Lower House. When he was asked not to raise the matter of the other House, Kharge said he had the right to do so. “Parliament means Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The LoP, Lok Sabha, wanted to speak on the country’s interests, but was not allowed to speak. How can you run the House like this?”

When Nadda said PM Modi is ready anytime to answer any question in the Lok Sabha, Kharge responded and said the BJP doesn’t let people talk and has even shackled the PM. Calling members of the ruling party as “bound labourers,” Kharge said the Opposition doesn’t “lynch or abuse” others like the BJP does.

The Lok Sabha was first adjourned soon after it met, following slogans and protests by Opposition MPs over the suspension of eight members. The Speaker attempted to restore order several times, but the disruptions continued through the day.

The standoff began when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to refer to an article citing an unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General MM Naravane on the 2020 India-China standoff. The protests intensified after eight Opposition MPs were suspended for the remainder of the Budget Session on Tuesday.

Those suspended include Congress MPs Manickam Tagore, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Hibi Eden, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, and Dean Kuriakose, along with CPI(M) MP S Venkatesan.