Budget Session: Lok Sabha adjourned till tomorrow; Rahul says 'wasn't allowed to speak in House' | Highlights

The Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed a stormy session after Rahul Gandhi, senior Congress MP and the Leader of Opposition (LoP), south to quote from the unpublished memoir of former Army chief General MM Naravane on India-China standoff in 2020. The government vehemently opposed Gandhi, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah saying that the Congress leader was 'misleading' the Lok Sabha and quoting the 'unpublished' book was against the rules of the House. Click here to read more.

Reacting to Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's speech, Rajya Sabha MP Harsh V Shringla said the Indian Army has always prioritised the security of the country.

"I was also the Foreign Secretary at that time, and I know that whatever efforts were made, our army held its position and because of this, we can say today that China did not advance in any area during this attempt," he said.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor asked why the government is afraid of a discussion? He said that the government should have not reacted like this over Rahul Gandhi's speech and the issue of China is a matter of great concern to the entire nation.

"Have a full discussion on China. Foreign Affairs Minister, Defence Minister, let them all speak and let the people know what's going on. Don't have a situation where everything is being brushed under the carpet. That is not healthy for our democracy," he said.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh said on Monday that Rahul Gandhi disrespected the House and he should also have spoken about the conversations he had at the Chinese Embassy.

"I want not allowed to speak in the House. I was only trying to quote what the ex-Army chief said. Whether we lost land or not, it is a different question," says Congress MP Rahul Gandhi while speaking to reporters outside the Parliament.

The Lok Sabha has been adjourned till tomorrow amid row over Rahul Gandhi vs the government over ex-Army chief General MM Naravane's memoir. 

"I consider the matter of national security to be the most important matter for the country. It is uncomfortable for the defence minister, the prime minister..." says Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha.

The fact-off between Rahul Gandhi and the central government over ex-Army chief General MM Naravane's memoir has begin again in the Lok Sabha.

Reacting to Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi’s speech, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said on Monday that the way the opposition acted in the Parliament was clearly premeditated. He further said that Rahul Gandhi should uphold the dignity of Parliament. 

"If the book on which these accusations are based has been published, it should have been placed on the table of the House," he told news agency PTI.

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde said on Monday that the Congress MP must understand that Parliament functions according to the rule book and the House operates based on rules and regulations, and nothing is above these rules.

"Repeatedly, wherever the Speaker presides, everyone must follow the rule book, and authentication is required for any matter, the Speaker ensures this. Rahul Gandhi has a habit of speaking negatively about India abroad. . I believe even the advisors in his party should make him understand how discussions should be conducted and presented in the House," he told news agency PTI.

The Lok Sabha has been adjourned again till 4 pm amid chaos over the face-off between Rahul Gandhi and the government over former Army chief General MM Naravane's memoir. 

Chaos continues in Lok Sabha as round 2 between Rahul Gandhi and government continues.

On Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's statement inside the Parliament, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said, "Naravane was not a small man. He was a CDS. So why are they not letting him be quoted? The book was not published because they wouldn't have let it get published."

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is meeting Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi in his chamber at Parliament. Party MPs KC Venugopal and Shashi Tharoor are also present in the meeting.

Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday following the uproar in the House during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, "As Leader of the Opposition, you are making allegations in the House and not following the rules. This is not appropriate."

In response, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi said, "You please tell me what I should speak, Speaker sir."

Om Birla replies, "I am not your advisor, but as the Speaker, it is my duty to ensure that the House functions as per the rules and discussion is limited to the subject listed."

 Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm amid row over LoP Rahul Gandhi seeking to quote from former army chief MM Naravane's unpublished book.

 Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Tejasvi Surya (BJP MP) in his speech has not raised any questions on the Opposition's character or their patriotism."

LoP,  Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said," The Defence Minister, Home Minister and the Prime Minister raise questions on our party, party leaders, and our nationalism. This article writes about the PM's character. This is neither about China, nor the PM."

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla raises an objection and calls the next speaker, Akhilesh Yadav.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday responded to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi by reiterating that parliamentary rules cannot be challenged on the floor of the House. Intervening during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, the Speaker said members are bound by established procedures and cannot question or debate the rules governing parliamentary proceedings. Birla's remarks came after Rahul Gandhi sought clarification on the rule under which he was stopped from speaking on India–China relations, triggering sharp exchanges and interruptions in the House.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday questioned the restrictions imposed on him in the Lok Sabha while he was attempting to speak on India-China relations, saying he was prevented from raising an issue of national importance. Speaking during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, the LoP said he wished to address India's relationship with China and the ongoing border tensions, but was stopped on the grounds of parliamentary rules. Questioning the Chair, the Congress leader asked which specific rule prohibited a discussion on India's ties with China. He maintained that the issue was directly linked to national security and should be allowed to be debated in the House.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that the facts cited by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha were not correct and therefore could not be published. Intervening during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, Rajnath Singh rejected the claims made by the Leader of Opposition, asserting that the government would not allow incorrect or misleading information to be placed on record of the House.

In Lok Sabha, objecting to Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "The topic he is raising has already been discussed, but he is repeating an issue on which a ruling has already been given. He is not following the guidelines and rules."

"What does it contain which is scaring them so much? If they are not scared, I should be allowed to read on," said LoP, Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, after the  Speaker has ruled against him quoting from a magazine story containing quotes from the unpublished work of former Army chief General MM Naravane (Retd), after the LoP raised the matter relating to China.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday claimed in the Lok Sabha that the Chinese army has entered Indian territory, triggering sharp reactions from the Treasury benches during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. Raising concerns over national security, Rahul Gandhi accused the government of not being transparent about the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). 

In Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi terms former army chief's memoirs as '100 percent authentic,' Rajnath Singh asks whether the book has been published or not.

In Lok Sabha, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said," The Speaker has given a ruling that articles from magazines or newspapers cannot be quoted in the House. Debate in the House should be held according to the laws."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday intervened in the Lok Sabha after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of China during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, quoting from what he claimed was former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane’s unpublished memoir.

In the Lok Sabha, speaking in favour of the LoP, Lok Sabha, who was speaking in the context of China, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav said, "The matter relating to China is very sensitive. LoP, Lok Sabha should be allowed to speak."

Rahul Gandhi raises the Ladakh standoff in the Lok Sabha. He said, "No debate on who is patriotic and who is not. Our patriotism is not buried."

Rahul Gandhi states that his source is authentic and includes quotes from the unpublished memoirs of former Army general MM Naravane.

In Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "I want that LoP, Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), should present before the House the book he is quoting from, because the book he is referring to has not been published."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday accused Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of misleading the Lok Sabha during his speech on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, triggering sharp exchanges between the treasury benches and the Opposition.

Rajnath Singh objects to LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, citing quotes from a published magazine story in the House, which is against the rules of the House. Rahul Gandhi states that his source is authentic and includes quotes from the unpublished memoirs of a former Army general (MM Naravane).

Ruckus erupted in Parliament on Monday as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi began his speech, with the government demanding that he cite an authentic source for his remarks. During the ongoing Lok Sabha session, a sharp exchange unfolded between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over comments relating to the Doklam standoff mentioned in former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane's book, which is yet to be published. 

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that the BJP-led Centre is blocking the publication of former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane's book on the Doklam standoff.

Rahul Gandhi is speaking on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in Lok Sabha.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is likely to address around 2:30 pm today in Lok Sabha on Motion of Thanks to President's address. 

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Union Budget, said, "The Finance Minister has announced grand schemes in the last nine years, we must recollect whether those schemes have been implemented. All the schemes they have announced this year will never see the light of the day."

Union Budget 2026: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "When the Sensex itself has spoken after the budget, what more is there to say? The Sensex fell after the budget, and how much more will the rupee fall? Thousands of acres of land have been acquired in the name of building defence corridors. But what has been achieved?"

RJD MP Misa Bharti said, "There are several issues in Bihar, several demands of the people there which have not been met. Budget Session is underway. So, we all thought that the burning topics of Bihar be raised, especially that of the special status to Bihar. There was nothing for Bihar in the budget. We are also raising the issue of law and order in Bihar, of NEET aspirant's death. We want the Govt to respond and that action be taken."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "Today, we will have around 4-5 speakers from BJP because the total time kept is 18 hours. So, as per that, we have 3 days of discussion (Motion of Thanks to President's Address). PM will reply in the evening of 4th February. So, keeping that in mind, since NDA will have around 55% of the time, I think 5-6 speakers today. I am told that after the Motion is moved by Sarbananda Sonowal, to be seconded by Tejasvi Surya, the LoP (Rahul Gandhi) will speak."

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "If the opposition is unwilling to see anything good in the Budget, I cannot change that. But the whole world is watching India’s Budget today. The Congress and its leaders have a very negative mindset about the Budget and they want to send a wrong message to the people."

RJD leaders protest over various demands and issues pertaining to Bihar in the premises of the Parliament.

The Lok Sabha's Budget session began on Monday with the Question Hour.

The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha reconvened to resume proceedings. Both Houses of the Parliament will take up motion of thanks on President Murmu's address today, as the Budget session continues following the presentation of the Union Budget on Sunday. 

Karnataka Minister G Parmeshwara said, "This year's Union Budget is disappointing, not forward-looking, and not a pro-poor budget. Is removing poverty, the agriculture sector, industry, or infrastructure not a priority for them?. It is not taking India forward."

Opposition MPs from Kerala protest against Union Budget 2026, at the Parliament, calling it an 'anti-Kerala Budget'. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 in Lok Sabha, her ninth consecutive Union Budget. Asserting that the Union Budget 2026-27 is driven by "Yuvashakti" and based on "three kartavyas".

AAP MP Sanjay Singh gives a notice under Rule 267 in the House seeking a discussion "on the destruction of heritage taking place in the name of redevelopment of Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi."

On Union Budget 2026-27, Bihar minister Dilip Jaiswal said, "The Opposition has failed to grasp the seriousness of the Budget. This Budget outlines a self-reliant India through Vocal for Local, with the aim of creating employment in every home. Seats in IITs and IIMs are being increased. The prices of life-saving medicines have been reduced. The high-speed rail project in Bihar has been approved."

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday criticised the Union Budget 2026 presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman, calling it “disappointing” and saying it "lacks foresight". Reacting to the Budget presented in Parliament, the chief minister said the proposals failed to address key concerns and did not offer a clear vision for the future, reiterating his party’s criticism of the Centre’s economic priorities, reported PTI.

"Only two things have been majorly mentioned about Karnataka are Bengaluru-Chennai and Hyderabad-Bengaluru high speed rail corridors in five years. This is of no benefit to Karnataka. It is more beneficial to Telangana and Tamil Nadu. We had asked for Bengaluru-Mumbai, Bengaluru-Mangaluru, and Bengaluru-Pune high speed rails," he added.

SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav said, "The Budget was not for common people but for a select few. Visit a village and look for Viksit Bharat. Go and see the condition of Jal Jeevan Mission. They made the President speak their words in her Address. They have pocketed the entire fund and people in Delhi (Centre) have shut their eyes."

Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, reacting to the Union Budget 2026 said, "The budget that has been presented is completely negative. The country had a lot of hopes and expectations; young people had hopes, and industries had hopes that the government would do something good for them. However, the government has done nothing for them."

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 in Lok Sabha, her ninth consecutive Union Budget. Asserting that the Union Budget 2026-27 is driven by "Yuvashakti" and based on "three kartavyas," Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed seven high-speed rail corridors, new dedicated freight corridors, and the operationalisation of 20 national waterways over the next five years as part of the Union Budget. The Union Budget has outlined a major push for environmentally sustainable passenger transport, proposing the development of seven high-speed rail corridors across key urban and economic centres. These corridors will act as growth connectors, cutting travel time, reducing emissions, and supporting regional development.

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP MP C Sadanandan Master will move the motion, and his fellow party MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni will second the motion. Both houses will convene at 11 am today to discuss the motion of thanks on the President's address.

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Monday questioned whether the Union Budget 2026-27 amounts to a concession to the United States without a formal agreement, pointing out that customs duty cuts appear to benefit certain sectors. In a post on X, the Congress leader wrote, "What is peculiar if not quixotic in Finance Bill 2026 ! Myriad number of Customs duty reductions and exemptions Done through Notifications, Rate alignments, Chapter-specific tariff rationalisation de-horse an explicit policy narrative in the Budget Speech. Does this align with US interests? Yes."

The Budget session of Parliament will comprise 30 sittings spread over 65 days and conclude on April 2. Both Houses will adjourn for a recess on February 13 and reconvene on March 9, allowing Standing Committees to examine the Demands for Grants of various ministries and departments.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore gives Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha, seeking "urgent discussion on serious international reports allegedly referencing PM Narendra Modi in communications linked to Jeffrey Epstein."

According to news agency ANI sources, the Lok Sabha will hold a general discussion on the Union Budget for 2026-27 on February 5, 9, 10, and 11. A total of 18 hours has been allotted for the discussion. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to reply on February 11.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament on February 4.

The following list of MPs to speak during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address on Day 1

• Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition 
• Tariq Anwar, Congress MP
• Amarinder Raja Warring, Congress MP
• Anto Antony, Congress MP
• Jothimani, Congress MP

Rahul Gandhi will be the first speaker from the opposition to speak on 'Motion of Thanks' to President Droupadi Murmu's address. The Government has allotted 18 hours in the Lok Sabha for discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to the joint session of Parliament during the Budget Session.

The Government has allotted 18 hours in the Lok Sabha for discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to the joint session of Parliament during the Budget Session. The discussion will be held on February 2, 3, and 4. The decision was made at a meeting of the Lok Sabha's Business Advisory Committee (BAC) on Thursday.

The Lok Sabha on Monday will take up the discussion on the President's Address, with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal set to move the motion to thank the President for her address to the joint sitting of Parliament on January 28. According to the list of business, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya will second the motion.