Parliament Budget Session Resumes Amidst Political Turmoil and International Tensions
The second half of the Budget Session of Parliament commenced on Monday, March 9, 2026, with expectations of a stormy start as the Lok Sabha prepared to address an opposition-backed resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. This motion, supported by 118 MPs, alleges that Birla acted in a "blatantly partisan" manner, particularly in disallowing Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders from speaking in the House.
No-Confidence Motion Against Speaker Om Birla
Congress MPs Mohammad Jawed, Kodikunnil Suresh, and Mallu Ravi formally submitted the no-confidence motion, accusing Birla of making "unwarranted allegations" against women MPs from the Opposition and showing bias in parliamentary proceedings. In response, Birla recused himself from House activities, with the Lok Sabha Secretariat stating he would return only after the matter is resolved.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended Birla on Saturday, praising his commitment to constitutional principles and parliamentary democracy. BJP leader Dilip Ghosh criticized the Opposition, labeling their actions as political "bankruptcy" and accusing them of turning Parliament into a "den of politics" due to electoral setbacks.
West Asia Conflict Dominates Parliamentary Agenda
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to make a statement in the Lok Sabha on the situation in West Asia, following joint US-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks. The conflict has disrupted crude oil supplies and pushed up prices, raising concerns about India's energy security and the safety of Indian expatriates in the region.
Opposition parties, including the Congress and AAP, have demanded a full-fledged debate rather than just a ministerial statement. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh recalled the 2003 debate on the US invasion of Iraq under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, urging for a similar spirited discussion. AAP MP Sanjay Singh submitted a notice in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 267, seeking suspension of business to discuss the crisis's impact on India.
Other Key Issues in Parliament
Several other contentious matters are expected to surface during the session:
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in West Bengal: Reports indicate the deletion of nearly 60 lakh voters, likely to trigger heated exchanges, with Trinamool Congress MPs planning to raise the issue.
- Government's Position on Iran and Russian Oil: The Opposition has criticized the government's stance on Iran and a US "waiver" on India's purchase of Russian oil.
- Alleged Protocol Breach Involving President Droupadi Murmu: The BJP may bring up an incident during her visit to West Bengal.
- Legislative Business: The government is set to introduce the Electricity Amendment Bill and address pending legislation from the first half of the session.
Opposition's Stance and Reactions
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP ET Mohammed Basheer announced support for the no-confidence motion, citing "injustice" to opposition parties in the previous session. He emphasized that the Opposition would highlight these concerns during the Budget Session.
The agenda paper for Monday lists the resolution against the Speaker as the primary item for discussion in the Lok Sabha. The session will also begin with obituary references for former MPs, including Meghalaya MP Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon.
As Parliament reconvenes, the focus remains on balancing domestic political disputes with urgent international issues, setting the stage for intense debates and potential confrontations in the coming days.
