Parliament Session Updates: Opposition urges govt, Speaker to revoke suspension of 8 MPs

Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were adjourned for the day and the House will reconvene at 11 am on March 16.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Rs 1 lakh crore Economic Stabilisation Fund will give fiscal headroom to allow India to respond to global headwinds. Replying to the debate on the second batch of supplementary demands for grants in the Lok Sabha, she said the fund will act as a buffer to absorb shocks arising due to unforeseen global challenges like the current one in West Asia. "The Rs 1 lakh crore Economic Stabilisation Fund will give fiscal headroom to allow India to respond to global headwinds," she said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that farmers need not worry about fertiliser availability, as adequate provisions have been made. Her assurance came during the reply to the supplementary demands for grants.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded to the Discussion on Supplementary Demands for Grants - Second Batch 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha. She said the fiscal deficit will remain within the Revised Estimates for FY26. She added that the Economic Stabilisation Fund will provide fiscal space to help India navigate global economic challenges.

The Opposition has urged the government and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to revoke the suspension of seven Congress members and one CPI-M MP who were suspended during the first part of the Budget session for "unruly behaviour". Congress general secretary K C Venugopal, SP's Dharmendra Yadav, NCP (SP)'s Supriya Sule, DMK's Kanimozhi and TMC's Shatabdi Roy met Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday and called for revoking the suspension of the eight opposition MPs, Congress sources said.

Notices seeking a motion for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have been submitted in both Houses of Parliament, news agency PTI reported citing sources. 

Proceedings of the Lok Sabha were halted once again and adjourned till 2 pm after the Opposition staged loud protests inside the House over the ongoing LPG supply situation.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs had sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu to apprise her about the West Bengal government's welfare initiatives but the Rashtrapati Bhavan turned down their request citing "paucity of time", a source said today.

Opposition MPs held a protest inside the premises of the Parliament, protesting against reports of a nationwide shortage of LPG gas cylinders.

The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were halted just minutes after the session began today, as loud protests by the Opposition forced the Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the House. The Lok Sabha has now been adjourned till 12 noon amid continued uproar.

BJP leader CR Kesavan accused Rahul Gandhi of trying to create panic in Parliament, calling his behaviour similar to that of a "doomsday alarmist" attempting to demoralise the nation. "Rahul Gandhi flagrantly violated established procedures of parliament by incoherently, illogically and unintelligibly rambling on disconnected issues...The problem with Rahul Gandhi is that he thinks the parliament is his personal private playground...Rahul Gandhi thinks that he is above Dr Babasaheb Ambedkarji's constitution while everybody abides by the rules, traditions and conventions of parliament," Kesavan added. 

Union Minister Giriraj Singh criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, saying it has become his habit to create confusion in the country and question India’s foreign policy. "Having Tea at the Makara Dwar and abusing the nation, he also spread confusion in the nation during COVID," he added. 

Congress MP Manickam Tagore today slammed BJP MP Nishikant Dubey over his 'picnic' jibe at Congress' protest on the reported shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), saying that it is insulting to MPs and their struggle across states. Taking it to X, he stated, "Dubeyji, Misusing power, you suspended us. We are protesting against this misuse of authority. Every day you cross us, we sit and protest against the government. Today, the Leader of the Opposition joined us. Now you call a picnic. Don't insult Punjab MPs. Don't insult Kerala MPs. Don't insult Tamil Nadu MPs. Don't insult Telangana MPs. Don't insult Maharashtra MPs. Don't insult protest. Don't insult our struggle."

The Appropriation Bill seeks to authorise the payment and appropriation of certain further sums from the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year 2025-26. The Finance Minister will seek the leave of the House to introduce the Bill and subsequently move that it be taken into consideration and passed, subject to the voting of the Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2025-26.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to move the Appropriation Bill, 2026, for introduction, consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha today, according to the List of Business. The Bill seeks to authorise the payment and appropriation of certain further sums from the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year 2025-26.

The Parliament's second leg of the Budget session is set for another upheaval with the Opposition's Trinamool Congress (TMC) reportedly bringing an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, claiming misuse of Constitutional bodies. Sources said a total of 180 members of the INDIA bloc have signed the notice to be moved in the Parliament. These comprise 120 Lok Sabha members and 60 in the Rajya Sabha. 

The Opposition is likely to bring an impeachment motion in Parliament against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar today. According to sources, the opposition is considering introducing the motion in both Houses of Parliament. A senior leader from the All India Trinamool Congress involved in drafting the notice said the move has been a collective effort by opposition parties.