Parliament Budget Session: Parliament adjourned for the day

Parliament adjourned for the day

Both Houses adjourned for the day.

Lok Sabha showdown continues: Speaker stops Rahul Gandhi mid-speech after his remark on Hardeep Puri

Lok Sabha witnessed a heated exchange as Rahul Gandhi's speech on the energy crisis was cut short by Speaker Om Birla. Gandhi was questioned for targeting Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and deviating from the stated notice regarding gas shortages. The opposition had previously accused the Chair of limiting Gandhi's speaking time. Read full story

Attack on Abdullah matter of 'great concern': Nadda in RS

Nadda’s statement came in response to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s allegation that there seemed to be a conspiracy to eliminate Abdullah - who has Z+ category security - and blaming revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood for the incident.

"A murderous attack on Abdullah is a matter of great concern and a very serious matter…," Nadda said.

128 Opposition MPs in Lok Sabha, 63 in Rajya Saba move impeachment motion to remove CEC Gyanesh Kumar: Report

A total of 128 Opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha and 63 MPs in the Rajya Sabha have signed a motion seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, sources in the All India Trinamool Congress said on Thursday.

According to party sources, the motion is expected to be formally submitted on March 13.

Under the Constitution, the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only through the same process and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. Such a motion must be backed by at least 100 members in the Lok Sabha or 50 members in the Rajya Sabha.

Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said the party was preparing to move an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner and that more than 100 MPs had extended support to the initiative. He added that the motion could be submitted soon and that the Opposition was likely to present a united stand on the issue.

No shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil: Puri tells Lok Sabha

"India has sufficient gas production and supply arrangements to sustain this position even in the event of a prolonged conflict. Power generation for every household and for industry is fully protected," Hardeep Singh Puri said.

Parliament Budget Session: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju calls out Opposition after Parliament showdown

“After a two-day discussion on the no-confidence motion against Om Birla, the Speaker pointed out certain observations. I was hoping that the House proceedings would be conducted peacefully today. However, the Congress has not learnt its lesson. Today, LoP Rahul Gandhi submitted a letter to the Speaker stating that he wanted to hold a discussion on the reported LPG shortage. After discussions, we asked him when he wanted to discuss the issue... The Petroleum Minister was asked to prepare a response. Rahul Gandhi was given special permission to speak. Even then, he started talking about various other issues instead of the LPG issue," said Rijiju

Parliament will function according to rules: Om Birla

"I have a copy of the notice given by the Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi regarding the gas shortage in the country, and I allowed him to speak on that subject. However, despite being a responsible Leader of the Opposition, discussing other issues without notice is not within the procedures and rules of Parliament...I am urging you again, and Parliament will not function this way. Parliament will function according to rules and procedures..."

'Not the moment for rumour mongering or fake narratives: Puri on LPS crisis speculations

"India is navigating the most severe global energy disruption in recorded history. Fruit supply is flowing, gas is prioritised for homes and farms, LPG production has been stepped up by 28%. India must stand united behind the energy warriors, behind the institution managing the crisis, and behind the national interests," he added.

'No shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene': Union Minister Puri in Lok Sabha

"In the last five days, LPG production has been increased by 28 % through refinery directives and further procurement is actually underway. The Modi government's foremost priority is that the kitchen of India's 33 crore families, especially the poor and the underprivileged, do not face any shortage. Domestic supply is fully protected and the delivery cycle is unchanged," he said further.

Refineries are operating at high capacity utilisation: Hardeep Puri

In several cases, they are exceeding 100%. There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation, turbine fuel, kerosene and fuel oil is fully assured," said oil minister.

"Non Hormuz sourcing has risen to approximately 70 % of crude imports, up from 55 % before the conflict began. India's sources grew from 40 countries as against 27 in 2006 and 2007. This structural diversification built through sustained policy over successive years has given us options that other nations find themselves without. The refineries are operating at high capacity utilisation. In several cases, they are exceeding 100%. There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation, turbine fuel, kerosene and fuel oil is fully assured. Retail outlets across the country are stocked and supply chains for these products are functioning normally," he added.

'Pain has just started': Rahul flags 'panic' over LPG supply, energy security; Puri hits back

Speaking after Rahul's claims, oil minister Hardeep Puri Singh said, "The world has not faced a moment like this in modern energy history...India's crude supply position is secure, and the volume secured exceeds what the Hormuz would have delivered. Before the crisis, approximately 45% of India's crude imports transited through the Strait of Hormuz route. Thanks to the Prime Minister's outstanding diplomatic outreach and goodwill, India has secured crude volumes that exceed what the disrupted Strait of Hormuz could have delivered in the same period."

Parliament Budget Session: 'Why does India need permission?' Rahul attacks Centre over Trump's remark amid LPG crisis

The Lok Sabha LoP further said that, "Foundation of every nation is its energy security; right to decide our ties with different oil suppliers has been bartered."

Rahul talks on middle east crisis, mentions Strait of Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz, the central artery from where 20 pc of global oil flows, is closed; this will have tremendous repercussions, said Rahul Gandhi.

Parliament Budget Session: Rahul Gandhi brings up Iran conflict in Lok Sabha

US-Israel and Iran are at war; this war is going to have far-reaching consequences, says Rahul Gandhi in LS.

Rahul Gandhi addresses Lok Sabha

Over 200 MPs sign notice seeking motion for CEC's removal

A total of 130 Lok Sabha MPs and 63 Rajya Sabha MPs have signed notices seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, PTI sources said, with the notice likely to be submitted in at least one House of Parliament on Friday.

Opposition leaders said MPs showed strong enthusiasm in signing the notice, with members from all INDIA bloc parties and some from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) backing it, even after the required numbers — 100 in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya Sabha — had been crossed. This marks the first attempt to move a removal motion against a CEC, with the notice reportedly listing seven charges, including “partisan and discriminatory conduct”, “deliberate obstruction of investigation of electoral fraud”, and “mass disenfranchisement.”

Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of favouring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), particularly over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, with concerns raised about alleged deletion of genuine voters in West Bengal. Under the law, the CEC can be removed only through a process similar to the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge, requiring a motion introduced in either House and passed by a special majority — a majority of the total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting — after an inquiry by a committee constituted jointly by the Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman once the motion is admitted.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh launches sharp attack on Leader of Opposition Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi

"No one knows where Rahul Gandhi's mind is and where his body is; not even he seems to know. People might have to send his photo to a psychologist. Perhaps a psychologist will be able to find it," Singh said, referring to allegations of Gandhi's low attendance in Lok Sabha.

"These people are enemies of the nation, they are enemies of democracy," the minister added.

"If they have something to say, they should run the House and present their points there. On Wednesday, they knew they would be exposed if voting took place, so they created an uproar and ran away," he said further, referring to the opposition's move against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Parliament Budget Session: Lok Sabha functions under rules, no member has privilege to speak beyond framework, says Birla

"No member in this House possesses any privilege to speak outside the framework of these rules," Birla said amid thumping of desks by the ruling side.

He said he was grateful to the members of the House for reposing their faith in him during debate. He also thanked all those who spoke in favour of him as well as against him.

"The House has been running with rules and regulations and will continue to function in future, irrespective of whether it is acceptable to any member or not. I will continue to discharge my duty with all sincerity and impartiality," he added.

Parliament Budget Session: Hardeep Puri to brief Parliament on India’s energy supply situation today

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will make a statement in the Lok Sabha on India’s overall energy supply situation amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, which has affected shipping routes.

India's crude supply remains secure through diversified procurement amid the West Asia crisis that has affected global energy routes, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, ministry of petroleum and natural gas, said on Wednesday at an inter-ministerial press briefing.

Parliament Budget Session: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

'Chair has no switch to turn microphones on or off', On Birla responds to claims that mics of opposition leaders were switched off

Parliament Budget Session: Lok Sabha adjouned till 2 pm

Watch: 'Strived to ensure House runs impartially' says Om Birla a day after resolution seeking his removal defended

Parliament Budget Session: 'I have always encouraged those who hesitate to participate in House proceedings,' LS speaker Birla says

Parliament Budget Session: Om Birla rejects Rahul Gandhi’s bias charge, no-confidence motion against him

Parliament Budget Session: Rahul Gandhi on LPG crisis says, 'Prime Minister says there is no need to panic, but he himself appears panicked'

Parliament Budget Session: AAP MP and cricket Harbhajan Singh raised issue of obscene contents on social media

Parliament Budget Session: 'Protecting every Indian is priority', Nadda responds to Kharge's allegation after attack on Farooq Abdullah

Leader of the House JP Nadda hit back at Mallikarjun Kharge, saying the attack on Farooq Abdullah is a matter of serious concern. He added that a proper investigation is underway and that protecting every Indian remains the government’s top priority.

Parliament Budget Session: Om Birla begins Lok Sabha proceedings amid Opposition sloganeering, urges question hour

Parliament Budget Session: Mallikarjun Kharge raises concerns over law and order in J&K after Farooq Abdullah's assassination attempt

Parliament Budget Session: Opposition leaders staging protest in Parliament over reports of nationwide shortage of LPG cylinders

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Priyanka Gandhi says debate was on Speaker, not Rahul Gandhi

Reacting to Union home minister Amit Shah referring to the attendance record of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the no-confidence motion was against Speaker Om Birla, not Rahul Gandhi.

She said Shah should have spoken only on the issue related to the Speaker.

Priyanka Gandhi also alleged that the home minister used an unparliamentary word during his speech in Parliament but the Speaker did not object to it.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Lok Sabha rejects opposition's no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla by voice vote amid sloganeering

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Lok Sabha adjourned after House rejects motion against Speaker Om Birla by voice vote

The Lok Sabha rejected the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla through a voice vote amid sloganeering by opposition members.

Following the decision, the House was adjourned for the day, bringing the proceedings to a close.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: No-confidence motion against speaker Om Birla defeated by voice vote

The Lok Sabha rejected the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla through a voice vote.

Following the discussion in the House, the motion was put to vote and was defeated, allowing Birla to continue in his position as Speaker.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Opposition raises slogans in well as Speaker warns of voting on motion

During proceedings in the Lok Sabha, opposition members moved to the well of the House and began raising slogans against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaker Om Birla urged the members to return to their seats, warning that he would proceed with voting on the motion if the disruption continued.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Is motion against LoP or Speaker, asks Congress' KC Venugopal during Shah’s speech

Interrupting the speech of Union home minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha, KC Venugopal questioned the focus of the discussion.

The Indian National Congress leader asked whether the debate was on the no-confidence motion against the Leader of Opposition or against Speaker Om Birla.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi’s attendance below national average, says Amit Shah

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah targeted Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, claiming his attendance in previous Lok Sabhas was below the national average.

Shah said Gandhi’s attendance in the 17th Lok Sabha was 51 per cent compared with the national average of 66 per cent. In the 16th Lok Sabha, he said Gandhi’s attendance was 52 per cent while the national average stood at 80 per cent.

He added that in the 15th Lok Sabha, Gandhi’s attendance was 43 per cent against a national average of 76 per cent.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: 'Om Birla did a favour to the House', says Amit Shah on Speaker not letting a debate on Rahul Gandhi's press conference

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Lok Sabha not a market, debate can’t be held on press conferences, says Amit Shah

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah criticised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying he had demanded a debate in the House on his own press conference.

Shah said the Lok Sabha is not a marketplace where such discussions can be held.

He added that from Rahul Gandhi’s great-grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru, to his grandmother Indira Gandhi, and his father Rajiv Gandhi, there were prominent leaders in India, but the Lok Sabha had never held a debate on anyone’s press conference.

Shah alleged that Gandhi’s press conference was based on false claims and said Speaker Om Birla had upheld the dignity of the House by not allowing its standards to fall.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Speaker gave opposition chance to correct notice errors, says Amit Shah

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah said the Speaker’s office had given the opposition an opportunity to correct multiple mistakes in their submission related to the motion against Speaker Om Birla.

Shah said the notice was not in accordance with the rules on two occasions, but the Speaker still allowed them to rectify the errors and submit it properly.

He described this as reflecting fairness and seriousness in the functioning of the House.

He also addressed complaints by some members that they were not allowed to speak due to microphone issues. Shah said anyone who does not follow the rules or maintain discipline in the House will have their microphone turned off, adding that this is how parliamentary proceedings should function.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Opposition notice had errors, House will run by Lok Sabha rules, says Amit Shah

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah said the opposition may have submitted the motion half-heartedly. He noted that while the year is 2026, the notice mentioned 2025 and suggested they may have expected the Speaker to reject it.

Shah said the required motion was not properly attached to the notice and that the opposition later withdrew it and submitted a second one after the issue was pointed out.

He added that under the rules, a notice must carry an actual signature of the member, not just a photocopy.

Referring to the motion against Speaker Om Birla, Shah said the House will function according to the rules of the Lok Sabha, not according to any party’s rules.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: 'When it is a chance to speak, you are seen in Germany, in England', Shah targets Rahul Gandhi

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Amit Shah questions Rahul Gandhi’s claim of being stopped from speaking

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah said the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had complained that he was not allowed to speak and that the voice of the LoP was being stifled.

Shah said it is for members themselves to decide when to participate in debates.

He alleged that when opportunities to speak arise in the House, Gandhi is often abroad, mentioning visits to Germany and England.

Shah said Indian National Congress MPs had spoken for 157 hours and 55 minutes in the 18th Lok Sabha, and questioned how much the LoP had spoken.

He asked which Speaker had stopped Gandhi from speaking and said no one could do so, adding that misinformation was being spread to defame the Lok Sabha.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi’s attendance lower than average, says Amit Shah

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah launched a direct attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, claiming that his attendance in the House was lower than the average.

Shah made the remark during the discussion in the Lok Sabha amid the ongoing proceedings related to the motion against Speaker Om Birla.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Don’t lecture speaker Om Birla on morality, says Amit Shah

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah said the opposition should not lecture Speaker Om Birla on moral grounds. He said when it was the opposition’s turn earlier, the Speaker had been chosen from members of their own party and all of them were present, while Birla was not.

Referring to Article 94 of the Constitution of India, Shah said the Speaker can be removed only under extraordinary and serious circumstances and that there is no routine procedure for it.

He added that the Constitution provides different types of majority for different positions.

Shah explained that there are three kinds of majority — simple majority, effective majority and special two-thirds majority. He said while a simple majority is enough to remove a Prime Minister, removing the Speaker requires an effective majority.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: False propaganda being spread that opposition not allowed to speak, says Amit Shah

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah said false propaganda was being spread that opposition leaders were not being allowed to speak in the House.

Referring to the discussion on the resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla, Shah rejected the claim and said such allegations were incorrect.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Om Birla only Speaker to show moral courage during motion, says Amit Shah

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah referred to Article 96 of the Constitution of India, saying that when a motion to remove the Speaker is discussed, the concerned presiding officer does not chair the House.

He said such motions had come up three times earlier when the Indian National Congress was in power, and the tradition had been that the Speaker did not occupy the Chair during the discussion.

Shah added that on those occasions, the House was presided over by other officers for 14 days.

Referring to Om Birla, Shah said he was the only Speaker who had demonstrated “moral courage” in such a situation.

Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Bring motion against PM Modi if you want, but not against Speaker, says Amit Shah

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union home minister Amit Shah said the opposition was free to bring a proposal against Prime Minister Narendra Modi if it wished.

He said the government was ready to discuss issues and respond to them in the House.

Shah added that a proposal to remove the Prime Minister can be brought in Parliament, but moving a proposal to remove the custodian of the Lok Sabha was not a courageous step.

Referring to the motion against Speaker Om Birla, he said such a move was not appropriate.