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BJP hits out at Opposition over notice to remove Speaker Om Birla

The BJP on Tuesday hit back at the Opposition over its move to seek the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, calling the notice an attack on constitutional institutions and escalating its criticism of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra dismissed the Opposition’s action, saying, “Those who have been impeached of their consciousness are the ones who want to impeach all the constitutional posts of India.” He went further, declaring that the time had come to “impeach Rahul Gandhi and the Congress from politics.”

Patra alleged that Congress and its allies were repeatedly targeting constitutional offices at the behest of US-based billionaire George Soros, particularly after the BJP-led NDA returned to power for a third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The controversy follows a notice submitted by Congress chief whip K Suresh on behalf of several Opposition parties, citing the Speaker’s refusal to allow Rahul Gandhi and others to speak and the suspension of eight MPs. Trinamool Congress MPs did not join the move.

Reacting sharply, Patra said, “The entire country is watching the behaviour of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party in the House,” alleging attempts to gherao the Prime Minister’s seat.

Opposition MPs slam Budget over debt, tax relief and farmer concerns

Congress MP Neeraj Dangi on Tuesday criticised the Union Budget, saying it had fallen short of the expectations of large sections of society. According to him, the proposals failed to address the concerns of what he described as “the soul of India - the farmers, labourers, youth and middle class.”

In a separate intervention, Trinamool Congress MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray mounted a broader attack on the government’s economic approach, drawing an unusual comparison with the ancient philosopher Charvaka. Ray said Charvaka had urged people to live happily and take loans to consume ghee, suggesting a similar mindset now guided those in power, reported The Hindu.

Pointing to the rising debt burden, Ray said the total government loan, including external borrowings, stood at an estimated Rs 200.53 lakh crore. He also flagged the absence of any relief for taxpayers, noting that there was no change in income tax slabs in the latest Budget.

Ray further expressed concern over policy shifts in the insurance sector, saying the decision to allow 100% foreign direct investment could threaten public sector insurers. Such measures, he argued, endanger the business of nationalised insurance companies while offering little immediate benefit to ordinary citizens.

Aparajita Sarangi hails trade pacts, Budget push for exports and health

BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi on Tuesday praised the Centre’s trade and economic strategy, pointing to a series of free trade agreements as evidence of India’s growing confidence on the global stage.

Referring to agreements signed with the United States, United Kingdom, the European Union and Oman, Sarangi said India has adapted well to shifting geopolitical and economic conditions. “India has shown the ability to cleverly navigate in a different changing world order,” she said.

Highlighting key provisions in the Union Budget, Sarangi noted that customs duties have been eased for Indian exporters, particularly those dealing in marine products. She also pointed to tax relief measures aimed at supporting micro, small and medium enterprises.

The BJP MP underscored increased public spending in the social sector, saying allocations for health have risen sharply over the past decade. According to her, there has been a “194% increase in allocation for Health since 2014–15,” which she said reflects the government’s sustained focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and access.

Surendra Singh Nagar backs Budget, cites progress toward Viksit Bharat

BJP MP Surendra Singh Nagar on Tuesday described the Union Budget as a significant step in India’s long-term journey toward Viksit Bharat by 2047, arguing that it reflects the government’s broader development priorities.

Calling the Budget an important milestone, Nagar said it rests on three core responsibilities: strengthening competition and accelerating economic growth, meeting people’s expectations while building their skills, and ensuring that welfare schemes in the social sector actually reach beneficiaries. He maintained that these focus areas signal continuity in the government’s economic approach.

Nagar also took a swipe at senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram, dismissing his criticism of the Budget. “Listening to P. Chidambaram’s speech is a way to learn how to twist numbers,” he said.

Emphasising the government’s record, the BJP MP pointed to the condition of the economy in 2014 and contrasted it with what he described as substantial progress since then. According to him, the Budget reflects that trajectory and underlines the gains made over the past decade.

Kanimozhi calls Union Budget anti-poor, alleges tilt toward corporates

DMK MP Kanimozhi NVN Somu launched a scathing criticism of the Union Budget, describing it as another failure that ignores the economic distress faced by large sections of the population.

“This is yet another failed budget,” Kanimozhi said, adding that the Finance Minister had shown “consistency to fail a record nine times.” She argued that the proposals bore little connection to the realities on the ground, calling the budget “anti-poor” and out of touch with the country’s economic needs.

According to her, the document offered no meaningful relief to workers, farmers, salaried middle-class families, or the unemployed. Instead, she alleged, it continued to favour large corporate interests. “It is a faceless and baseless budget,” she said, accusing the government of overlooking those struggling with rising costs and job insecurity.

Kanimozhi also took aim at reductions in key subsidies, saying cuts in food, fertiliser, and petroleum support amounted to “a direct attack on workers and peasants.” She further criticised the decline in financial transfers to States, claiming allocations had fallen by “lakhs of crores.”

Such reductions, she said, weaken the federal structure of the country. The drop in transfers, Kanimozhi argued, undermines fiscal federalism at a time when States are expected to shoulder greater welfare responsibilities.

Manickam Tagore accuses Rijiju of stalling Parliament, silencing Opposition

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Tuesday accused Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju of deliberately obstructing the functioning of Parliament, alleging that the Opposition is being systematically denied its right to speak in the House.

“We all know that Kiren Rijiju ji doesn’t want the Parliament to function,” Tagore said, pointing to recent disruptions during proceedings. Referring to a circulating video from the House, he claimed it showed that the Prime Minister was not presiding at the time of the incident.

“The video clearly shows that the Prime Minister was not in the chair,” he said, adding that the Opposition’s response would have been different had the Prime Minister been present. “If the PM were there, the MPs would have protested in the well of the House.”

Tagore also expressed frustration over what he described as repeated attempts to silence senior Opposition voices. “We are pained that the Leader of the Opposition is not allowed to speak by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister,” he said.

He went on to allege institutional pressure on the Speaker. “He forces the Speaker to deny the right to speak to the Opposition,” Tagore said

Lok Sabha resumes smoothly; Shashi Tharoor opens Budget discussion

Lok Sabha proceedings resume without any disruptions. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor initiates discussion on Union Budget.

Lok Sabha Speaker asks Secretary General to examine impeachment notice

The Lok Sabha Speaker has asked the Secretary General of the House to review the impeachment notice and proceed as required, reported ANI, quoting sources in the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Gaurav Gogoi confirms Congress notice to remove Speaker Om Birla

Congress Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, confirms submission of notice by his party of a motion seeking the removal of Om Birla as Lok Sabha Speaker.

Birla's alleged partisan conduct of House proceedings and the lack of opportunity to LoP and other Opposition leaders to speak in the House have been cited as reasons for submitting the notice.

Govt signals willingness to push budget without debate amid standoff

Sources say the government has indicated to Congress MPs that it is prepared to push the budget through the Lok Sabha without debate if disruptions continue. The government has also made it clear that it will not accept any conditions from Congress regarding allowing Rahul Gandhi to speak before the budget discussion or revoking the suspension of eight Opposition MPs.