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New Delhi: The government on Friday said it would move ahead with a substantive motion against the Leader of the Opposition. Govt Drops Proposed Privilege Motion Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, speaking at the conclusion of the first half of the Budget Session, said the government had initially planned to bring a privilege motion against Gandhi. However, in light of Dubey’s notice as a private member seeking a substantive motion, the government has decided to drop its own proposal for now.
“The government had decided to make a motion. Rahul Gandhi violated the rules by mentioning an unpublished book. He also used expressions like ‘country sold out’ and called the Prime Minister’s remarks ‘nonsense’ during his Budget speech. There are several issues over which we wanted to give him notice,” Rijiju said.
He added that since a private member has already submitted a substantive motion, the government would allow that process to take precedence. “Any MP can bring a motion. After the substantive motion is admitted, we will decide, in consultation with the Speaker, whether it should be referred to the Privileges Committee or the Ethics Committee, or brought directly before the House for discussion,” he said.
Rijiju clarified that the procedural course has not yet been finalised and discussions would be held with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to determine the next step. “These things haven’t been decided yet,” the minister noted.
Allegations and Political Response
The notice against Gandhi alleges that he violated parliamentary rules by referring to an unpublished book and making remarks deemed derogatory towards the Prime Minister and the government during his Budget speech. The BJP has maintained that his comments amounted to a breach of parliamentary decorum and potentially a violation of privilege.
A substantive motion, if admitted, is a serious parliamentary measure that can lead to debate in the House and, in extreme circumstances, disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.
Gandhi, however, has dismissed the move as politically motivated and asserted that he would continue to raise issues concerning farmers and other citizens irrespective of any action initiated by the government.
“I will continue to speak for farmers and other Indians no matter what action the government brings against me,” Gandhi said, signalling that he intends to maintain an aggressive opposition stance.
Escalating Tensions in Parliament
The development comes amid heightened tensions between the Treasury benches and the Opposition during the Budget Session. Gandhi’s remarks in the House had triggered sharp protests from BJP members, who accused him of breaching parliamentary norms and making sweeping allegations without evidence.
The decision on whether Dubey’s motion will be admitted — and the forum to which it will be referred — now rests with the Speaker. The outcome could set the tone for parliamentary proceedings in the coming weeks and further intensify the political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Congress. For now, while the government has stepped back from its proposed privilege motion, Dubey’s substantive motion keeps the controversy firmly on the parliamentary agenda.
