Parliament Budget Session: INDIA Bloc Floor Leaders Meet at Kharge’s Office Amid Escalating House Tensions

Political activity intensified inside the Parliament complex on Tuesday as floor leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc convened a crucial strategy meeting amid mounting tensions during the ongoing Budget Session. The meeting was held at the office of Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress President, and focused on floor coordination, recent confrontations in the House, and the opposition’s collective approach in the days ahead.

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was present at the meeting, along with senior leaders from multiple opposition parties. Sources indicated that discussions revolved around managing proceedings inside Parliament, responding to allegations levelled by the treasury benches, and ensuring a unified opposition stance as confrontations between ruling and opposition members continue to escalate.

The meeting came against the backdrop of sharp exchanges following the February 4 disruptions in the Lok Sabha during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. Women MPs from the ruling party have written to Om Birla, the Lok Sabha Speaker, seeking strict action against opposition members. The letter accuses opposition MPs of entering the well of the House, climbing the Speaker’s table, crossing treasury benches, and disrupting proceedings in a manner described as damaging to parliamentary dignity.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju alleged that opposition MPs crossed over to the treasury benches and reached close to the Prime Minister’s seat, calling it a serious breach of parliamentary norms. He said the actions amounted to an unprecedented disruption of the House and claimed ruling party MPs were angered by what they saw as repeated attempts to undermine parliamentary decorum.

Opposition leaders, however, have rejected these allegations, calling them politically motivated. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari dismissed claims that women MPs had threatened the Prime Minister, stating that such assertions were being ridiculed publicly. He argued that protests inside Parliament are part of democratic functioning and accused the ruling party of manufacturing outrage to divert attention from substantive issues.

The opposition has also indicated it is exploring the possibility of moving a no-confidence motion against the Lok Sabha Speaker. Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat claimed that more than 125 MPs had already backed the move, while Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav confirmed his party would support such a motion if it is formally introduced.

Adding to the political heat, Congress MP Manish Tewari submitted an adjournment motion seeking suspension of House business to discuss concerns related to the India–US Interim Trade Agreement and a recent executive order issued by the White House. The opposition has accused the government of avoiding debate on key economic and foreign policy matters by focusing on procedural controversies.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs is scheduled to meet on the same day, reflecting the broader political churn during the Budget Session. With the INDIA bloc aiming to project unity and the ruling party pushing for disciplinary action, the session is expected to remain contentious, with floor management, parliamentary privileges, and political accountability at the centre of the unfolding confrontation.