NEW DELHI: Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Monday created an uproar over issues such as delimitation, the New Education Policy (NEP), and USAID. They staged a walkout after the chair rejected their motions to suspend business.
This prompted the government to advise a refresher course in parliamentary work for leaders from Opposition ranks.
Soon after the second leg of the Budget session of Parliament resumed, Opposition members gave 12 notices under Rule 267 in the House to suspend normal business to take up discussions on a range of issues, including the impact of impending delimitation on Tamil Nadu, duplicate voter ID cards, and US President Donald Trump’s remarks that USAID gave funds for voter turnout in India.
However, the Deputy Chairman, who was presiding over the House proceedings, rejected all notices, leading Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to lead the opposition camp in staging a walkout.
Later, DMK MP P Wilson said that the DMK staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha after the Deputy Chairman refused to allow a discussion on fair delimitation for Tamil Nadu. In an ‘X’ post, Wilson said, “The DMK floor leader Tiruchi Siva and I submitted a notice under Rule 267 of the Business Rules of the Rajya Sabha to discuss fair delimitation for Tamil Nadu. This is critical, as the state has seen minimal population growth due to family planning policies. There is a growing concern about impending delimitation changes set to take effect in 2026.”
Meanwhile, as soon as the Opposition members walked out of the House, Leader of the House and Union Health Minister JP Nadda alleged that adjournment notices had been reduced to tactics for defaming the House.
As he was allowed by the chair to speak, Nadda said, “This trend of moving adjournment notices is a vicious design to demean the institution of Parliament. They (the opposition) are not interested in debate. They want to give an impression that the government does not want to answer. The government is ready to discuss anything under rules and regulations. We will discuss the budget of ministries. They will have ample time. There is a provision for a short duration and long duration discussions, but they do not know how to debate.”
“I was Leader of Opposition in Himachal and got the best legislator award under their government. They should read the rules,” he said, adding that the Opposition should go for a “refresher course” to get accustomed to parliamentary rules and regulations for discussions.