MP, Feb 10 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) women MPs have voiced strong support for Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, demanding the “strongest possible action” against Opposition members over the February 4 incident during the Budget Session. The lawmakers alleged that several Opposition women MPs gathered around the Prime Minister’s seat ahead of his arrival for the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, describing the situation as deeply concerning.
In a formal letter to the Speaker, BJP MPs characterised the episode as “unfortunate and regrettable,” warning that inaction could undermine public faith in democratic institutions. They further claimed that some Opposition members entered the Well of the House, climbed onto tables, tore documents, and flung papers toward the Chair actions they said marked one of Parliament’s most troubling moments. According to them, BJP members maintained restraint in line with directions from senior leadership.
The letter followed a complaint by Congress women MPs, who rejected the allegations as “false, baseless, and defamatory.” They insisted their protest adhered to parliamentary norms while accusing the ruling party of unfairly targeting them.
Earlier, Speaker Birla had reportedly advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stay away from the House after learning that certain MPs might attempt to approach his seat, a move aimed at preventing escalation. Meanwhile, BJP MPs also pointed to repeated instances where Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was not permitted to speak during the Motion of Thanks debate.
The continuing standoff is linked to Gandhi’s attempt to reference contentious passages from former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane’s memoir on the 2020 India–China border tensions. Treasury benches objected sharply, accusing him of misleading Parliament and disrespecting the armed forces, while the Speaker later described the disruptions as “planned” and inconsistent with parliamentary decorum.
Amid the impasse, Opposition parties are preparing a coordinated strategy for the remainder of the Budget Session. Leaders of the INDIA bloc are scheduled to meet to discuss floor management and key issues, even as the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs convenes to deliberate on significant foreign policy matters.
The controversy continues to cast a shadow over proceedings, with both sides holding firm positions as the session moves forward.