17

Feb

Modi Govt. Intransigence undermines parliament

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A close examination of the first phase of the acrimonious Budget session raises troubling questions about the health of India’s parliamentary democracy. The ruling BJP-led NDA government and the Opposition appeared locked in an uncompromising confrontation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah leading a determined defence of the treasury benches. The Opposition, on the other hand, accused the government of systematically throttling dissent—with the support, it alleges, of a partisan Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla.

The first half of the session, which went into recess on 13 February and is scheduled to reconvene on 9 March, was historic for reasons that go beyond routine political clashes. Most notably, the Prime Minister did not reply in the Lok Sabha to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address to the joint sitting of Parliament—an established parliamentary convention. Speaker Om Birla reportedly advised the Prime Minister to skip the reply, citing concerns over potential “unexpected” and “unpleasant” protests by Opposition women members near his seat. The episode was seen by critics as an extraordinary deviation from democratic norms.

Adding to the unprecedented nature of the session was the Opposition’s move to introduce a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla—an extremely rare step that underlines the depth of mistrust. Simultaneously, BJP MP Nishikant Dube submitted a substantive motion seeking the disqualification of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and a lifetime ban on his contesting elections. These parallel motions have further intensified the institutional standoff.

With Speaker Birla currently not presiding over proceedings due to the pending no-confidence motion, the fate of Dube’s proposal remains uncertain. It will depend on the outcome of the debate and vote on the Opposition’s motion. Either Birla will be restored to the Chair, or a new Speaker will be elected—both outcomes carrying significant political implications.

The first phase of the Budget session has sparked serious concerns about the health of India’s parliamentary democracy, as sharp confrontations between the BJP-led NDA government and the Opposition dominated proceedings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision not to reply to the Motion of Thanks in the Lok Sabha—reportedly on the advice of Speaker Om Birla—was seen as a break from convention.
Wednesday Wisdom
By Satish Misra
 The Opposition escalated matters by moving a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, while a BJP MP sought Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification, deepening the institutional standoff.
The Congress targeted the government over the India–US trade deal and alleged links to the Epstein files, attempting to raise farmer-related concerns ahead of key state elections. With protests and political tempers high, the upcoming session will test whether dialogue can replace confrontation to preserve democratic norms.

It is indeed unfortunate that matters have deteriorated to the extent that the Opposition felt compelled to move a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. Traditionally, the Speaker’s office is expected to function above partisan lines, safeguarding the rights of both treasury and Opposition benches. However, the Opposition claims it has been subjected to unfair treatment, forcing it to resort to this drastic constitutional measure.

At the same time, the Congress-led Opposition has shown no inclination to soften its stance. It aggressively targeted the government on multiple issues during the first half of the session—particularly the India–US trade deal, the controversial Epstein files, and the allegedly unpublished memoirs of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane titled Four Stars of Destiny. These issues were used to question the Prime Minister’s political judgment and moral authority.

Congress MPs staged protests within the Parliament complex demanding the resignation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri after his name surfaced in the so-called Epstein files. The Opposition attempted to link Puri’s alleged mention in those documents with the India–US trade negotiations, suggesting possible impropriety.

A key political question now is whether this strategy has placed the BJP-led NDA government on the defensive—and whether the Opposition can sustain pressure long enough to turn the trade deal into a politically sensitive issue, particularly among farmers. With Assembly elections approaching in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, the stakes are high.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has led the charge in the Lok Sabha, repeatedly raising concerns about transparency and accountability. While the BJP dismissed his allegations as baseless and politically motivated, there were visible signs of discomfort within ruling ranks. Treasury benches, assisted by the Speaker, attempted to project confidence, but the heated exchanges suggested deeper anxieties.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri responded to Gandhi’s allegations through a press conference rather than addressing them directly in Parliament—a move critics argue runs contrary to established parliamentary convention. While Puri acknowledged meeting disgraced American financier Jeffrey Epstein “on a few occasions,” he denied any connection with Epstein’s criminal activities. Nevertheless, the clarification appeared to raise as many questions as it answered.

The government has dismissed references to Puri and businessman Anil Ambani in the Epstein-related material as “trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal.” However, observers believe the real political battle may not centre solely on the controversy itself, but on the broader narrative being constructed around the India–US trade deal.

Farmers and trade unions have already staged a nationwide Bharat Bandh, protesting what they perceive as threats to domestic agriculture. Agriculture remains not only a critical economic sector but also a politically sensitive constituency with deep emotional resonance. Even though the government has repeatedly assured safeguards for sensitive agricultural products, any perception that Indian farmers could face unfair competition from foreign imports could gain cross-party traction.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other ministers have defended the agreement as being firmly in the national interest. Rahul Gandhi, however, has accused Prime Minister Modi of “opening the doors” of India’s agricultural sector to foreign players under pressure from US President Donald Trump. Gandhi has stated he is prepared to face FIRs or parliamentary action but will continue opposing the deal at every level.

When Parliament reconvenes after the recess, the crucial question will be whether both sides can step back from confrontation and restore the dignity of parliamentary functioning—or whether political brinkmanship will prevail. The government may rely on its numerical strength to defeat the no-confidence motion against the Speaker, but such victories may not necessarily strengthen democratic credibility.

History offers cautionary lessons about the erosion of parliamentary institutions. When constitutional offices such as that of the Speaker become arenas of partisan conflict, democratic systems weaken. One stark example comes from Germany, where a partisan and biased President of the Reichstag, Hermann Goering, helped reduce Parliament to a rubber stamp—facilitating the rise of Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship. The consequences were catastrophic.

India’s democracy has weathered many storms. Whether this Budget session marks a temporary turbulence or a deeper institutional strain will depend on the wisdom and restraint shown by both the government and the Opposition. The nation can ill afford a prolonged paralysis of its highest democratic forum.

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