Feb 12: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the government will move a Privilege Notice against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for allegedly making baseless statements and misleading the Lok Sabha during the Budget discussion.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Rijiju accused Rahul Gandhi of making “useless and false allegations” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members of the government without following established parliamentary procedures. He questioned the basis on which serious allegations were made without prior notice or substantiation.
The Minister emphasised that Parliament functions under clearly defined rules of procedure and conduct of business in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He said that any member making allegations must authenticate their claims in accordance with these rules.
Mr Rijiju stated that he has formally requested the Leader of the Opposition to substantiate and authenticate the points raised during his speech in the House. He also criticised Rahul Gandhi for making allegations against Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri without issuing any prior notice.
Calling it a “serious breach of privilege,” the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the government would move the necessary notice before the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He maintained that the sanctity and decorum of Parliament must be preserved and that members are expected to adhere to procedural norms while raising sensitive issues.
Mr Rijiju further alleged that the Leader of the Opposition did not make any constructive or substantive contribution to the Budget discussion and instead resorted to making unverified claims.
The development comes amid heated exchanges between the treasury benches and the Opposition during the ongoing Budget session. Parliamentary proceedings have witnessed sharp debates on economic policies, governance, and national issues.
A Privilege Notice is a procedural mechanism under parliamentary rules that allows members to raise concerns if they believe that the privileges of the House or its members have been breached. If admitted by the Speaker, the matter may be referred to the Privileges Committee for examination.
The government’s decision to move a Privilege Notice is expected to further intensify political tensions in Parliament, as both sides continue to trade allegations during the Budget session.
