Tensions soared in India’s Parliament on February 12 as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) mounted a fierce offensive against Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. The budget session, meant for fiscal deliberations, turned into a battleground with NDA figures accusing Gandhi of factual inaccuracies, dignity breaches, and tradition violations.
Kicking off the salvo, Union Minister Chirag Paswan stressed personal responsibility. ‘High positions demand adherence to propriety; privilege motions exist for meaningless provocations,’ he noted, leaving open the door for formal action.
Union Minister BL Verma decried the opposition’s antics. ‘Neither their dignity nor Parliament’s matters to them amid this vital budget discussion,’ he said, praising the budget’s broad benefits while condemning the disruptions.
Ramdas Athawale, another Union Minister, spotlighted the novelty of Speaker threats. ‘Rahul’s baseless rhetoric has no foundation, marking a regrettable first in our democratic history,’ he observed.
Sanjay Kumar Jha of JD(U) mocked the opposition’s reliance on debunked narratives. ‘Gandhi positions himself above rules, attempting to hold Lok Sabha ransom for political gains,’ Jha charged.
BJP’s Rekha Sharma was blunt: ‘He stalls proceedings, spreads lies, and tarnishes reputations impulsively—electing him was a mistake.’ Ravi Kishan added that evidence-free speeches endanger democracy, betraying opposition frustration.
Shashank Mani highlighted baseless name-drops of non-present figures, prompting objections. Madan Rathod criticized overseas leadership attacks as unpatriotic, insisting debates belong in Parliament, not abroad, especially during budget talks.
Dinesh Sharma framed it as a necessary response to parliamentary desecration through crude language. ‘Options dwindle when decorum is assaulted; any recourse will align with precedents,’ he affirmed. This clash underscores the high stakes of the session, potentially reshaping opposition strategies.