Parliament Budget Session 2026: Turmoil, Tensions and Political Firefights Grip Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
New Delhi – The ongoing Budget Session 2026 of the Indian Parliament has spiralled into a high drama of political confrontation, repeated adjournments and public rebukes between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition parties, especially the Indian National Congress. With crucial business including the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, budget deliberations and key policy debates underway, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have witnessed intense verbal assaults, strategic walkouts and unprecedented disruption of parliamentary decorum.
Chaos in Lok Sabha: Adjournments and Unfinished Speeches
The Lok Sabha has been the epicentre of repeated adjournments this week, significantly disrupting parliamentary business. On Thursday morning, proceedings barely got underway when opposition members erupted in protest, leading Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the House shortly after reconvening. This marked the fourth time in the session that the Lok Sabha was adjourned within minutes of starting the day’s agenda.
One of the defining flashpoints came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address was abruptly cancelled. The decision was officially attributed to “safety concerns” regarding unrest in the chamber, after several opposition MPs approached the treasury bench in protest.
Speaker Birla said he acted on information suggesting that opposition MPs might approach the Prime Minister’s seat, leading him to advise Mr. Modi not to attend the Lok Sabha that day. This reasoning has been vigorously contested by the Congress leadership.
In the heat of the day’s events, sloganeering and walkouts became the norm, with opposition MPs repeatedly raising issues ranging from the India–US trade deal to the treatment of Congress leaders inside the House. At one point, Congress members walked out of the Lok Sabha altogether in protest, declaring that Mr. Modi would not be allowed to speak until the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, was permitted to address the House.
Parliamentary Suspension Shock: Eight Congress MPs Barred
The political temperature escalated dramatically earlier in the week when eight Congress MPs were suspended from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Budget Session. The controversy began over Mr. Gandhi’s attempt to quote from a then-unpublished book by former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, which led to a standoff between the benches. The suspension was perceived by the opposition as a punitive measure aimed at stifling dissent, even as the ruling party defended it as necessary for maintaining order.
During the heated exchange, Telangana Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, among others, criticized the Speaker for bias and for interrupting Mr. Gandhi’s speech. The suspended MPs later released statements condemning the action and calling it a distraction from substantive debate on key issues.
Rajya Sabha: PM Modi’s Reply and Opposition Walkouts
Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally took the floor to reply to the President’s Address amid sustained protest from the opposition. The session in the Upper House was marked by sharp exchanges but avoided the kind of outright chaos seen in the Lok Sabha. Mr. Modi’s address focused heavily on India’s economic performance, foreign relations, and ideological differences with the Congress.
In his reply, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s strong economic growth trajectory, claiming the nation is on path to becoming the world’s third-largest economy, rising from historical lows. He highlighted India’s role as a “leading voice” of the Global South and emphasised strategic trade agreements, including recent deals with the European Union and expected developments with the *United States.
Mr. Modi also launched a direct political attack on the opposition, asserting that the Congress lacks clear “ideas, vision or plan” for the country’s future. He accused the party of having presided over economic downturns in the past and disparaged its criticism of the government’s policies.
Despite these emphatic statements, several opposition MPs staged a walkout during the Prime Minister’s speech, objecting to what they termed a “one-sided narrative” that glossed over critical issues affecting India’s youth, farmers, and job market.
Political Rhetoric and Policy Critiques: Congress vs BJP
While Mr. Modi lauded initiatives aimed at economic reform and global engagement, the Congress camp remains sharply critical of the 2026–27 Union Budget and the government’s broader policy direction. Rahul Gandhi, who has been vocal throughout the session, condemned the budget as “blind to India’s real crises,” asserting that it fails to address unemployment, agricultural distress, and weaknesses in the manufacturing sector.
The opposition has also demanded extended debates on the India–US trade deal, with some MPs insisting it compromises national interest, particularly by allegedly slashing tariffs and undermining India’s economic sovereignty. Protests both inside Parliament and at public rallies have drawn attention to these concerns.
On the BJP side, ministers and allies have characterised the opposition’s conduct as obstructionist and self-serving. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini accused the Congress of opposing the budget primarily to attract attention and dismissing reforms aimed at youth and economic empowerment.
Inside the Chambers: Parliamentary Practices Under Strain
The budget session has not only been politically charged but also raised questions about parliamentary practice and democratic norms. Outside regular proceedings, opposition leaders called emergency meetings and issued statements demanding respect for parliamentary rights. Inside the Houses, repeated procedural interruptions have frustrated both lawmakers and commentators who argue that governance imperatives are being overshadowed by political theatrics.
Senior MPs from both sides have traded accusations on everything from motion handling to the quoting of sources. All these incidents underscore a broader sense of institutional strain at a time when India faces economic, social and geopolitical challenges that many argue demand focused legislative attention.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
Public response to the tumultuous budget session has been mixed. Supporters of the BJP praise the government’s assertive defence of its policies and see Mr. Modi’s global engagement narrative as affirming India’s rising stature. In contrast, critics contend that the session reflects deeper political polarisation and a deficit of substantive policy debate on issues like jobs, inflation, and rural distress.
Media commentary has ranged from highlighting the procedural disruptions in Parliament to analysing the broader implications of the political rift between India’s major parties. Some outlets emphasise the need for constructive debate, cautioning that governance cannot be reduced to confrontation alone. Others underscore the symbolic importance of contentious moments — whether quoting from unpublished works or staging walkouts — as part of the democratic process itself.
What’s Next: Session Outlook and Legislative Agenda
As the budget session progresses, attention is focused on whether the tensions will ease or intensify. Key legislative business still on the agenda includes debates on the Union Budget’s provisions, committee reviews, and important policy legislation. With adjournments disrupting the rhythm of debate, there is increasing pressure on both sides to find common ground and allow substantive business to proceed.
Whether the session can overcome its current standstill will depend in part on the approach taken by parliamentary leadership and political parties in the coming days — especially in addressing procedural fairness, ensuring orderly debate, and navigating political differences without undermining institutional integrity. For now, the 2026 Budget Session stands as one of the most turbulent in recent memory, reflecting the evolving and often fractious nature of Indian parliamentary politics.
References
This article synthesises live reporting and parliamentary coverage from news organisations and live blogs tracking the proceedings of the Parliament’s Budget Session 2026. Major sources include NDTV live updates and additional reporting from Indian media outlets.
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