Parliament Budget Session 2026 LIVE: Oppn's Resolution Seeking Removal Of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Rejected

The opposition's resolution to remove Om Birla from the post of Speaker of Lok Sabha has been rejected by a voice vote.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah targeted Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, citing his attendance record while responding to claims that he was not allowed to speak in the House. "Suno, ab sun'na padega," says Shah angrily as Opposition MPs raise protests as he reads out the attendance sheet of Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi from 15th to 17th Lok Sabha.

The Union Home Minister said the data from previous Lok Sabhas shows Gandhi’s attendance has been consistently below the national average. “In the 17th Lok Sabha, his attendance was 51 per cent, while the national average was about 66 per cent. In the 16th Lok Sabha, his attendance was 52 per cent, compared to the national average of 80 per cent. In the 15th Lok Sabha, his attendance was 43 per cent, while the national average was 76 per cent,” Shah said.

He alleged that despite this record, Gandhi claims he is not given opportunities to speak in Parliament.

Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the Lok Sabha debate on the motion against Speaker Om Birla. He criticised Rahul Gandhi for demanding a discussion in the House on issues raised during his press conference, saying Parliament cannot function like a marketplace.

Shah said, “He suddenly had an idea to have a debate on his own press conference. This is not a market; this is the Lok Sabha.”

Referring to the Congress leadership, Shah said that even during the time of Rahul's previous generation, the Lok Sabha had never debated a leader’s press conference. He added that Speaker Om Birla maintained the dignity of the House by not allowing such a discussion.

Amit Shah criticised the Opposition over the notice for the motion seeking the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging that it contained procedural errors. The Union Home Minister said the notice initially mentioned the wrong year and lacked the required format and signatures as per parliamentary rules.

He said the notice had to be withdrawn and resubmitted after these issues were pointed out. Shah added that even in extraordinary circumstances, any motion must follow established parliamentary procedures.

“The House will run according to the rules of the Lok Sabha, not according to any party’s rules,” he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah rejected the Opposition’s claim that the Leader of the Opposition was not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha.

Speaking during the debate in the House, Shah said the decision on who speaks is made by the parties, not by the Speaker. “Congress MPs have spoken for 157 hours and 55 minutes in the 18th Lok Sabha. How much did the Leader of the Opposition speak? Why did you not speak? Which Speaker stopped you?” Shah asked.

He alleged that misinformation was being spread to defame the functioning of the Lok Sabha and its presiding officer.

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned and will meet again tomorrow, March 12, at 11 AM.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday told Opposition members not to lecture Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on moral grounds while speaking during the debate on the motion seeking his removal. Shah said the Constitution provides specific provisions for the removal of the Speaker under Article 94, which requires an effective majority of the House.

“Under Article 94, the Speaker can be removed only under extraordinary and serious circumstances; there is no routine procedure,” Shah said. He explained that the Constitution recognises different types of majorities, including the simple majority, the effective majority, and the special two-thirds majority, depending on the office concerned.

Shah added that while a Prime Minister can be removed by a simple majority, removing the Speaker requires a higher threshold: an effective majority.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Opposition is free to bring a motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament, but criticised the move to bring a resolution against the Lok Sabha Speaker. Speaking during the debate in the House, Shah said the government is ready to discuss issues raised by the Opposition and respond to them.

He said, “Bring a proposal against PM Modi if you wish; no one is opposing that. We are ready to discuss the issues and respond to them.” Shah added that bringing a proposal to remove the Speaker, who is the custodian of the Lok Sabha, cannot be considered a courageous move.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said Rule 375 of the Lok Sabha rules empowers the Speaker to adjourn the House in cases of serious disorder.

Speaking during the debate in the Lok Sabha, Shah said continuous protests and disruptions prevent members from speaking on important issues and make it difficult for the House to function. “Under Rule 375, when there is serious disorder, the Speaker has the authority to adjourn the House,” he said.

Shah also criticised incidents in which MPs stand in protest during debates and referred to Opposition women MPs approaching the Prime Minister’s seat, saying such actions are not appropriate in the House.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the Opposition’s conduct in the Lok Sabha, saying the Speaker is bound to intervene if members speak beyond the agenda of the House.

He said discussions in Parliament are scheduled in advance and members are expected to stick to the subject being debated. “If anyone gets up and speaks whatever they want, the Speaker will make them sit down. Issues are decided beforehand,” he said, adding that he himself would not speak on unrelated topics during the debate on the motion against the Speaker.

He also questioned senior Opposition leaders over the behaviour of some MPs, referring to incidents such as tearing papers, shouting during debates and approaching the Prime Minister’s seat during proceedings.

The Union Home Minister said allegations against the Speaker of the Lok Sabha raise questions not only within the country but also globally about India’s democratic system.

Amit Shah said the Speaker's position is above party lines and functions as a neutral mediator between the government and the Opposition. He said a no-confidence motion against the Speaker is rarely brought in Parliament’s history and members usually discuss their concerns with the Speaker directly in his chamber.

Shah also said it was unfortunate that an atmosphere had been created suggesting the Speaker’s security was under threat during such meetings. He added that for 75 years, both Houses of Parliament have strengthened India’s democratic foundations, but the Opposition’s move has now raised serious questions about it.

Amit Shah, while speaking in the Lok Sabha, said the functions are conducted according to established rules and cannot be treated like a public gathering where anyone can speak without following procedure.

“Sadan koi mela nahi hai. Parliament runs according to rules. Everyone speaks according to the rules and no one has the right to disobey them,” Shah said during the Lok Sabha debate.

He added that the parliamentary rules were not framed during the BJP’s tenure but have been in place since the era of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Shah also said he was ready to debate instances where, according to him, the Congress had broken parliamentary rules in the past.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the functioning of the Lok Sabha is rooted in mutual trust between the ruling side and the Opposition. Shah added that the Speaker serves as the custodian of Parliament's functioning for both sides.

“The spirit and long-standing tradition of this House are based on mutual trust. The House functions on the basis of trust between the ruling side and the Opposition,” Shah said.

He added that the Lok Sabha operates according to established rules framed by the House itself and that members from both the government and the Opposition have the right to raise issues within those rules.

Amit Shah said the Speaker has the authority to expunge unparliamentary remarks from the Lok Sabha proceedings. Speaking during the debate, Shah added that any language deemed inappropriate must be removed from the official parliamentary record.

He also emphasised that maintaining the dignity and decorum of Parliament is essential and that the Speaker is empowered under the rules to ensure that unparliamentary expressions do not remain part of the House records.

Amit Shah, in the Lok Sabha, said, "When the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was in the Opposition, it never brought a no-confidence motion against the Speaker."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said it was unfortunate for parliamentary politics that a resolution seeking the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had been brought in the House. Speaking during the debate on the motion, Shah said the Speaker represents the entire House and should not be viewed through a partisan lens.

“The Speaker belongs to the House, not to any particular political party,” Shah said while intervening in the discussion. He added that bringing such a resolution was not a healthy precedent for parliamentary functioning and stressed that the Speaker’s office should be respected as an institution of the House.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is speaking in the Lower House on the resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla.

Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi accused the government of suppressing the Opposition’s voice in Parliament, saying it undermines democratic values. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Channi invoked an episode from the Mahabharata, referring to the disrobing of Draupadi, and said it represented an insult to dignity and justice.

He alleged that a similar disregard for democratic norms is evident in Parliament, where Opposition members are prevented from speaking.

“Today in Parliament, the voice of the Opposition is being suppressed and microphones are being switched off. This is like the disrobing of democracy and its values,” Channi said.

Several Opposition MPs on Wednesday alleged during the Lok Sabha debate on the resolution to remove Speaker Om Birla that they are frequently denied opportunities to raise issues in the House.

RJD MP Abhay Kumar Sinha said the Chair no longer reflects the independence expected of the Speaker’s office and claimed Opposition members are often interrupted while speaking. “Whenever an Opposition MP gets up to speak, what we hear from the Chair is ‘No, No, No,’” he said.

JMM MP Vijay Kumar Hansdak also criticised the situation, alleging that interruptions during Opposition speeches have become common.

NCP (SP) MP Bajrang Manohar Sonwane said the motion was not a personal attack but was intended to highlight concerns over democratic rights and the functioning of the House.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “hiding” while the country faces a gas shortage amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Raising the issue during a discussion in the Upper House, Singh claimed that people across the country are standing in long queues for LPG cylinders and several businesses are being affected by the shortage.

“The whole country is standing in queue for gas and the PM is hiding,” he said, alleging that the government’s policies in the context of the US–Israel conflict with Iran were impacting India’s energy supplies. Singh also said that under the Ujjwala scheme, crores of LPG connections were distributed in rural areas, but people are now struggling to access cylinders.

The Rajya Sabha continues to discuss the working of the Ministry of Rural Development, with members highlighting key allocations aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure and livelihoods. The proposed allocation for the ministry for 2026-27 stands at Rs 2.73 lakh crore, aimed at boosting rural employment, housing and connectivity across the country.

Members also noted that Rs 4.35 lakh crore in grants has been proposed for Panchayats for the period 2026-31, a move expected to strengthen local governance and promote greater participation of women in decision-making at the grassroots level.

Congress MP Mallu Ravi indicated that the party may support the proposed impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Speaking on the issue, Ravi said the Opposition has been raising concerns about the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

He said, “This fight is against the Election Commission and about SIR. We started raising this issue in the last session and also regarding the Election Commission in Bihar, Maharashtra and several other states.” Ravi added that since the Trinamool Congress has moved the motion, the Congress may extend its support as it has been among the first parties to raise the issue.

The upcoming Census 2027 will collect data on the sex of the head of household, male, female or transgender, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the Census will be conducted in two phases, with the first phase covering house listing and housing census. He said the exercise will collect details on housing conditions, household particulars, amenities and assets, along with the gender of the household head.

Rai added that the second phase will focus on population enumeration, where information about every individual will be collected. The upcoming Census will also be fully digital and include caste enumeration, with an option for citizens to self-enumerate.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal acknowledged the Centre’s decision to prioritise domestic LPG supply for households but criticised the government for lacking long-term planning to anticipate the current supply challenges.

Speaking on the impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Sibal said the decision to ensure LPG supply first reaches consumers rather than industries was appropriate, but such steps should have been taken earlier.

“These are consequences that were bound to happen. The government did right in prioritising LPG supply to consumers first and then to industries,” he said.

However, he added that the government failed to show the long-term vision required to handle potential supply disruptions. Sibal warned that India’s heavy reliance on imports, meeting nearly 85 to 90 per cent of its crude oil needs, could lead to inflation and economic pressure if disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route.

Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dharmendra Yadav raised concerns in the Lok Sabha regarding issues related to China and sought clarification from the government on the status of the Rezang La War Memorial.

During the discussion, Yadav said late SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav had consistently taken a firm stand against China, irrespective of which party was in power at the Centre. He added that party chief Akhilesh Yadav had repeatedly questioned the government about the status of India’s territory along the border with China since 2014.

Yadav also asked the government to clarify the earlier and current location of the Rezang La War Memorial, saying the House and the country deserve clear answers on issues related to national security and historical legacy.

BJP MP Anurag Singh Thakur criticised the Congress during the Lok Sabha debate, alleging that the party had weakened the Election Commission during its years in power.

“The Congress used to appoint just about anyone as Election Commissioner and cripple the Election Commission. Whenever they talk about the Constitution, they end up embarrassing themselves because it was the Congress that repeatedly undermined the Constitution,” Thakur said.

He further claimed that the Election Commission had once functioned under the influence of the Congress. “Everyone knows how the Election Commission used to be in Congress’s pocket,” he added.

Thakur also said the Home Minister had already explained the matter in detail earlier and accused the Opposition of demanding debates only to create a political spectacle. “If they want to make a spectacle of themselves before the public, they are free to demand a discussion on anything,” he said.

TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti defended the role of the Speaker during the Lok Sabha debate on the resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. Tenneti said the Speaker should not be seen as an adversary of any political party but as a guardian of parliamentary order and democratic functioning.

He emphasised that Parliament should function through structured debate and discipline rather than disruption and spectacle, adding that the strength of parliamentary democracy lies in elected representatives engaging in meaningful discussion.

Tenneti also criticised the Opposition for attacking not only the Speaker but also institutions such as the Supreme Court during the ongoing political debate.

More than 7,700 complaints related to food adulteration and safety were received in 2024-25, out of which 5,952 have been resolved, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs BL Verma said the complaints are registered through the Food Safety Connect portal of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The data shows that 4,330 complaints were received in 2022-23, with 4,074 resolved, while 4,735 complaints were registered in 2023-24, of which 3,993 were addressed.

The minister said that regulatory action on complaints is taken by state food safety departments under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, while the FSSAI sets standards and oversees monitoring through inspections, sampling, and targeted enforcement drives.

Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that India’s mobile phone exports have increased more than 127 times over the past decade. Replying to a question in the House, Vaishnaw said exports rose from about Rs 0.01 lakh crore in 2014-15 to nearly Rs 2 lakh crore in 2024-25, reflecting the impact of government initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

He said India has transformed from a net importer to a net exporter of mobile phones over the past 11 years and is now the world’s second-largest mobile manufacturing hub. The minister added that overall electronics production has grown nearly six times, from around Rs 1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to about Rs 11.3 lakh crore in 2024-25, while electronics exports have increased almost eight times during the same period.

Vaishnaw said the government is also focusing on developing modules, components and raw materials for electronics manufacturing, supported by schemes such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programme and the Electronics Manufacturing Clusters Scheme.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the working of the Ministry of Rural Development about the implementation of rural development schemes. Questioning the government’s approach under the “Viksit Bharat” vision, Singh asked how much allocation has actually been made for rural development.

He referred to schemes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and Har Ghar Jal Yojana, alleging that in the name of implementing such programmes, existing infrastructure is often damaged and money is being collected from people. Singh said the government should ensure that development schemes truly benefit rural communities.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that he was stopped from speaking in the Lok Sabha. Athawale said the Speaker intervenes whenever any member makes an incorrect statement during discussions and that the action is not targeted at any particular leader.

“I don’t think it is that only Rahul Gandhi is stopped. Whenever there is a discussion on any issue, if someone makes a wrong statement, the Speaker stops them,” he said. The Union minister added that it is not appropriate to make such allegations against the Speaker.

The Rajya Sabha resumed its proceedings with further discussion on the working of the Ministry of Rural Development.

Members in the Upper House continued the debate, raising issues related to rural development schemes, the implementation of programmes, and the challenges faced in rural areas across the country.

BJP MP Anurag Singh Thakur launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Lok Sabha debate on the resolution against Speaker Om Birla.

Taking a swipe at the Leader of the Opposition, Thakur accused him of repeatedly violating parliamentary norms and seeking publicity. “Some people enter this House with minus triple C: no civic sense, no common sense and no constitutional sense. One person breaks all these rules, and that is the leader of propaganda,” he said, adding that Rahul Gandhi is driven by “FOMO” and wants to remain in the headlines.

Defending the Speaker, Thakur added that the Chair has allowed members from all parties to speak in the House. He added that even MPs who did not get adequate speaking time from their own parties were given opportunities by the Speaker.

Thakur also claimed that members across parties have acknowledged the Speaker’s impartial functioning and praised his conduct in the House during the ongoing debate.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra targeted the Central Government over rising prices and the reported LPG shortage, saying people across the country are suffering due to the government’s policies. She said the public is already struggling with inflation and unemployment, and the LPG situation has added to their difficulties.

She said, "How much will the public suffer? The prices of everything have increased, unemployment is rising, and now people are facing problems with LPG due to the government’s policies."

Priyanka added that a discussion in Parliament would have allowed members to raise people’s concerns and seek answers from the government.

KC Venugopal countered BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad during the Lok Sabha debate, saying that while the former law minister was questioning the conduct of the Leader of the Opposition, the conduct of the Prime Minister should also be discussed. Referring to the Balakot airstrike episode, Venugopal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier spoken about the review of the operation and discussions over the timing of the strike.

He alleged that, despite experts suggesting a change in date, the Prime Minister had said that the presence of clouds could help aircraft evade radar detection and had advised proceeding with the attack. Venugopal added that the Prime Minister later told the Army chief to take the decision as deemed appropriate.

Ravi Shankar Prasad took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, referring to his remark during the Haryana elections about setting up a “jalebi factory”.

Prasad said he was surprised by the comment and joked that he would like to take Rahul Gandhi along to show how jalebis are actually made.

“In the Haryana elections, he said he would set up a jalebi factory. I could not believe it. I would like Rahul Gandhi to come with me; I also like jalebis. I will show him that jalebis are not made in a factory,” he said during the debate.

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned and will meet again at 2 PM.

Congress MP KC Venugopal is speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on removing the Speaker. He told Ravi Shankar Prasad that they should understand why this motion came. The Speaker has to stop being partial, and this is why such a motion came to place.

The Lok Sabha witnessed protests by Opposition members as BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad invoked parliamentary procedures while speaking during the debate on the resolution against Speaker Om Birla. Quoting from Kaul and Shakdher’s Practice and Procedure of Parliament, Prasad outlined the responsibilities of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and spoke about the official process of authenticating documents in parliamentary discussions.

He also referred to a recent controversy in which Rahul Gandhi cited former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir. Responding during the exchange, Rahul Gandhi said several discussions raised by the Opposition have been stopped in Parliament.

Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Opposition’s instrument against the Speaker should not be “weaponised to satisfy the ego of some leader or group” as the Lok Sabha resumed discussion on the resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. Defending the functioning of the House, Prasad referred to past parliamentary incidents, saying that 11 MPs were once expelled for taking money to ask questions and that there were occasions when black pepper was thrown inside Parliament. He also cited Justice HR Khanna as an example and accused the Congress of denying him the position of Chief Justice after his landmark stand during the Emergency.

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad strongly defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister is “compromised”. Responding to the remarks, Prasad said the allegation was baseless and asserted that the Prime Minister can never be compromised.

Rahul Gandhi mounted a sharp attack on the government in the Lok Sabha and also criticised the Speaker, claiming that he was prevented from speaking after raising key issues in the House. He alleged that the Prime Minister was “compromised”, prompting a strong rebuttal from BJP leaders.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said implementing the Kavach train protection system is a complex task comparable to setting up a new telecom network across the country. Replying to a question by BJP MP Dr D Purandeswari, Vaishnaw said Kavach involves five sub-systems and requires extensive infrastructure, including optical fibre cable networks, telecom towers every 2-3 km and station data centres.

He said 767 station data centres have already been installed, while trackside equipment has been deployed along 6,776 km. The Kavach system has so far been installed on 4,154 km of railway tracks. Vaishnaw added that the final design of the system was approved only in 2024, even though the technology should ideally have been developed in the 1990s.

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is speaking in the Lok Sabha. He is speaking on the debate on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla. He said, "I have been stopped many times to speak on various issues." He added that for the first time in the country's history, the LoP was not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha.

BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of disrupting parliamentary proceedings and avoiding debates. Mishra alleged that Rahul Gandhi introduces proposals but does not participate in discussions. “This is Rahul Gandhi’s habit that he will present one proposal and when the time for discussion comes, he runs away,” he said.

The BJP MP further claimed that the Congress leader’s intention is to waste Parliament’s time and create disruptions during the proceedings.

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma in the Rajya Sabha said women’s empowerment remains one of the top priorities of the central government, highlighting the implementation of women’s reservation in legislative bodies. Speaking on the issue, he said the policy will help strengthen women’s participation in democratic institutions, including the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

He added, “Women's empowerment is one of the top priorities of the current government. The way women’s reservation has been implemented in the parliamentary system will directly benefit women in elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and other bodies.”

The Lower House of the Parliament has begun the proceedings after a brief adjournment. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad has started the discussion on a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha today raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha over what he described as unfair practices affecting prepaid mobile recharge customers, saying mobile connectivity is now a necessity for citizens rather than a luxury.

Highlighting the problems faced by users, the AAP MP raised three key issues:

• Incoming calls blocked after recharge expiry: He said stopping outgoing calls after a recharge expires may be understandable, but blocking incoming calls is arbitrary, as it prevents users from receiving important calls and One-Time Password (OTP) messages. In emergencies, people may be left unable to communicate.
• 28-day recharge validity: Chadha criticised the 28-day recharge cycle, saying it forces consumers to recharge 13 times in a year instead of 12, effectively making users pay for an extra recharge annually.
• Need for fair telecom policies: The MP said recharge validity should follow calendar months of 30-31 days so that consumers are not compelled to make additional payments.

Chadha urged telecom companies to adopt fair and transparent practices, stressing that millions of Indians depend on mobile connectivity for banking, OTP-based authentication, work, and daily communication. He called for consumer-friendly policies to ensure that prepaid users are not subjected to arbitrary restrictions or hidden financial burdens.

TMC MP Saugata Roy on Wednesday criticised the Centre over rising LPG and airline prices, calling it a failure of the government to act in time. “LPG prices have been increased and airline fares are also rising. The government should have taken action earlier and provided subsidies so that the general public does not suffer,” he said.

Roy also said the Trinamool Congress is gathering support from MPs for its proposed motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and that the party expects clarity on submitting it in the next couple of days.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, while talking to reporters outside Parliament, launched a sharp attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, including Arvind Sawant and Sanjay Raut, alleging that they lack an understanding of history and are misleading people for political gain.

Referring to the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, Dubey said that in 1969, there was a conspiracy to attack Meena Thackeray, and even questions were raised in Parliament regarding the cancellation of her revolver licence. He said that at that time, Bal Thackeray was neither an MP nor an MLA, and Shiv Sena was not a major political force. Dubey claimed that after learning about the alleged conspiracy, Bal Thackeray had strongly opposed the Congress and had said he would rather die than align with Indira Gandhi or the Congress.

He alleged that Uddhav Thackeray forming a government with the Congress shows that the party has abandoned its original Hindutva ideology. According to Dubey, Sena leaders are opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi only for political power and are distancing themselves from the party’s founding principles.

JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Wednesday said there is no shortage of LPG in the country and urged people not to spread rumours about the situation. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the matter and the government has clearly stated that supplies remain under control. Jha also warned against hoarding, saying such practices could create unnecessary panic.

“Everything is under control in India. The government has made it clear that there is no shortage at present. Any attempt to spread rumours and spoil the atmosphere should be avoided,” he said, adding that the government is closely monitoring the situation.

Amid protests from the Opposition parties, the Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 12 PM.

Congress MPs staged a protest in the Parliament premises over the alleged shortage of commercial LPG cylinders across the country. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined the demonstration, with Opposition MPs carrying banners that read, “PM is compromised.”

Leaders of the INDIA bloc have demanded a discussion in Parliament on the reported LPG shortage, which they say has been triggered by disruptions in global energy supplies amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Earlier in the day, Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat called for a detailed discussion on the situation, accusing the Centre of “running from its responsibilities.” He said the war's impact had begun to affect India’s energy supplies.

Zero-hour proceedings were taken up in the Rajya Sabha, with members raising matters of public importance with the permission of the Chair. MPs are flagging various issues concerning their constituencies and national concerns during the session.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is responding to the questions raised by members during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha regarding digital exclusion among rural and low-income households.

Replying to members’ queries, the minister addressed concerns about access to digital services and connectivity in underserved areas, highlighting the government’s efforts to expand digital infrastructure and bridge the digital divide across the country.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday took a swipe at the Centre over disruptions in India’s gas supply amid the widening West Asia conflict. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier remark about producing gas from drains, Raut said, “Modi ji is a great scientist. Modi ji had said that gas would be made from drains. Now the time has come to actually implement Modi ji's innovation.”

Both Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, have begun the proceedings on day 3 of the second half of the Budget Session.

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Wednesday raised concerns over the impact of tensions around the Strait of Hormuz on India’s energy security, calling for a detailed discussion in Parliament.

He said the Strait accounts for nearly 40 per cent of global energy supplies moving from West Asia to the East and recent disruptions could affect India. Tewari questioned the government’s response, including the invocation of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and airlines' imposition of surcharges.

The Congress leader said crude oil prices had already fallen from around $120 per barrel to about $90, adding that current supplies were contracted weeks earlier at lower prices. He urged the government to clarify India’s energy situation and strategic reserves.

Congress MP Vijay Vasanth on Wednesday moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on the plight of more than 1,000 Indian fishermen from Kanyakumari and nearby districts who are reportedly stranded in Iran and other Gulf countries amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict.

The MP urged the government to intervene and ensure the safe return of the fishermen, many of whom had travelled to the region for fishing-related work. Families back home have expressed concern over their safety as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate.

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Dr V Sivadasan on Wednesday raised concerns over reports of a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, saying the situation is affecting both hotels and households. “A lot of hotels have shut down and many families are suffering due to the shortage. The central government is not ready to manage this issue properly,” he said.

Sivadasan added that the party will raise the matter in Parliament and also launch a nationwide campaign outside the House against the LPG price hike.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Wednesday raised concerns over an alleged LPG shortage, saying people are facing long queues for cooking gas ahead of Navratri and during the ongoing month of Ramzan.

Targeting the Centre, Tiwari said the government is denying any crisis despite the situation on the ground. “The Modi government seems to be living in another world. Ministers appear to be roaming in space and do not see the ground reality. There are long queues for gas even as Navratri begins and Ramzan is underway, with Eid approaching,” he said, alleging that the government is ignoring the shortage.

Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Wednesday expressed concern over rising inflation, saying prices of essential commodities are increasing while the government has failed to control the situation. He said global conflicts are also affecting prices and urged the Prime Minister to use his international influence to help stop the war. Yadav warned that tensions could escalate further after US President Donald Trump’s remarks about taking control of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that any wider conflict would impact the entire world economy.