Parliament – Budget Session Debate on President’s Address Continues Today
Parliament – Both Houses of Parliament are set to resume deliberations on the motion expressing thanks to the President’s address as the Budget Session continues on Tuesday. The discussion, which began earlier this week, has drawn strong participation from members across party lines and is expected to remain a central focus of the day’s agenda.
Lok Sabha Debate Marked by Political Confrontation
In the Lok Sabha, the motion of thanks was formally introduced by Sarbananda Sonowal and supported by Tejasvi Surya. The debate on Monday, however, was disrupted by sharp exchanges between members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the opposition INDIA bloc.
Tensions escalated during the address by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who referred to an unpublished memoir attributed to former Army Chief General MM Naravane while speaking on the 2020 border standoff with China. Members of the BJP objected strongly, arguing that the reference violated parliamentary rules governing the use of unpublished material. The disagreement led to repeated interruptions and stalled the proceedings for extended periods.
Speaker’s Intervention and Adjournments
As disorder continued, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened, ruling that references to unpublished books or articles were not permitted under House rules. Despite appeals from the Chair to continue the debate without such citations, the impasse persisted.
The House was adjourned multiple times during the day—first until mid-afternoon and later for the remainder of the session—after no consensus could be reached. The repeated adjournments reflected the depth of disagreement over procedural boundaries and the scope of debate on sensitive national security matters.
Rajya Sabha Witnesses Emotional Address
In the Rajya Sabha, the motion of thanks was moved by BJP member Sadananad Master. His address on Monday drew attention for its emotional tone when he placed his artificial limbs on the bench while speaking, underscoring themes of personal sacrifice and national service. The moment was widely noted across party lines and added a somber dimension to the Upper House proceedings.
Context of the President’s Address
The motion under discussion follows President Droupadi Murmu’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses on January 28, which formally marked the start of the Budget Session. The President’s speech outlined the government’s legislative priorities and policy direction, making the subsequent debate a key opportunity for lawmakers to assess and respond to the agenda.
Obituary and Procedural Business in Lok Sabha
Tuesday’s sitting in the Lok Sabha is scheduled to begin with an obituary reference to Congress leader Surupsingh Hirya Naik, who passed away in December 2025. Following this, the House will take up several procedural motions.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and MP Kodikunnil Suresh are expected to move a motion seeking the House’s approval of the Fourteenth Report of the Business Advisory Committee, which was presented on February 2.
Committee Elections on the Agenda
In addition to the debate on the President’s address, members are scheduled to move motions related to the election of representatives to key parliamentary committees. These include the Committee on Estimates, the Public Accounts Committee, the Committee on Public Undertakings, and committees focused on the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Such committees play a critical role in legislative oversight and financial scrutiny.
Outlook for the Day
With discussions on the motion of thanks resuming, both Houses are expected to see continued debate on policy priorities and governance issues. Whether proceedings remain orderly will depend on how differences over procedure and content are managed as the Budget Session moves forward.