Rahul Gandhi, Ravi Shankar Prasad clash in Lok Sabha during debate on no-confidence motion against Speaker

Rahul Gandhi reiterates ‘PM compromised’ allegation

During the debate, Gandhi claimed he had been repeatedly stopped from speaking in the Lok Sabha when he tried to raise certain issues, including claims that the prime minister had been “compromised”.

"I was stopped multiple times from speaking in the Lok Sabha. Last time I raised the issue of the Prime Minister being compromised. I raised the issue of Mr Naravane. I raised the issue of Epstein. I was silenced. Our PM has been compromised, and everyone knows," Gandhi said while intervening during the discussion, reported ANI.

His remarks prompted strong objections from the ruling benches.

Ravi Shankar Prasad rejects claims

Responding to Gandhi’s remarks, Prasad strongly rejected the allegations and defended the prime minister.

"I would like to remind the Leader of Opposition that Prime Minister Narendra Modi can never be compromised," Prasad said, reported ANI.

He also questioned the appropriateness of Gandhi’s intervention during a point of order and said the Opposition should adhere to parliamentary procedures during debates.

Prasad further criticised the no-confidence motion against the Speaker, suggesting that it lacked substantive grounds.

BJP questions basis of Opposition motion

Prasad also raised doubts about the authenticity of claims made by the Opposition, particularly those related to excerpts from the unpublished memoir of former Army Chief M. M. Naravane.

"The book which never got published circulated. How can anyone authenticate it?" he said, arguing that parliamentary discussions should not rely on unverified material, reported ANI.

The BJP leader also accused the Opposition of using parliamentary proceedings for political purposes.

"Let the instrument of opposition against the Speaker not be weaponised to satisfy the ego of a leader," Prasad said.

Previous controversy over Naravane memoir

The dispute is linked to an earlier confrontation in the Lok Sabha during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address on February 2.

During that debate, Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from a magazine article containing excerpts from Naravane’s unpublished memoir.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh objected to the reference, arguing that a Member of Parliament should not cite material from an unpublished and unauthenticated book.

The ruling benches also objected to Gandhi’s remarks, leading to interruptions in the House.

Opposition moves no-confidence motion against Speaker

The confrontation forms part of a larger dispute over the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla.

The motion was moved by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and was backed by more than 50 MPs.

A total of 118 Opposition MPs have signed the resolution, accusing the Speaker of "partisan behaviour" and alleging that opposition leaders were not being allowed adequate time to speak in the House.

Debate allotted 10 hours in Lok Sabha

During the proceedings, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the House at the time, allowed the motion to be taken up for discussion.

He announced that around 10 hours had been allotted for debate on the resolution and urged members to focus on the issue raised in the motion.

Pal also said that the Speaker had been generous in allowing Opposition members to raise their concerns through established parliamentary procedures.

The debate reflects rising tensions between the ruling alliance and the Opposition during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament.

(With inputs from ANI)