Delhi: A sharp political confrontation unfolded in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as the opposition and the government clashed over parliamentary conduct, the right to speak, and the functioning of the Lok Sabha.
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised strong objections over what he described as the silencing of the Opposition in the Lower House. Speaking in the Upper House, Kharge underlined the constitutional importance of both chambers of Parliament and questioned the manner in which proceedings were being conducted.
“Parliament means Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The LoP, Lok Sabha, wanted to speak on the country’s interests, but was not allowed to speak. How can you run the House like this?” Kharge said, expressing concern over what he termed as an erosion of democratic norms.
Responding immediately, Union Minister and BJP president JP Nadda rejected the Opposition’s argument and reminded the House of procedural boundaries between the two chambers.
“The LoP should know that the proceedings of the Lok Sabha cannot be discussed in the Rajya Sabha,” Nadda said, asserting that established parliamentary rules must be respected.
The debate intensified further when Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju intervened, appealing to all members to adhere to parliamentary traditions. Rijiju stressed that the day’s proceedings were particularly significant, as Members of Parliament were expecting to hear the Prime Minister’s address.
“Today we all are expecting that all MPs will follow rules and traditions of the house. All MPs are waiting to hear the PM’s speech today. If Congress doesn’t want to listen to the PM’s address, but all other members do. Your LoP Lok Sabha doesn’t follow the House rules…” Rijiju said.
