During the Parliament's winter session, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi gave a speech defending the Constitution, but was met with laughter from BJP members. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra and IT department head Amit Malviya also took to Twitter to poke fun at Gandhi's comments. Malviya went on to declare Gandhi the "undisputed king of bloopers".
After facing criticism from the Delhi High Court, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government appears to be reconsidering their refusal to implement the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This comes after BJP MPs filed a plea in the court seeking implementation of the scheme in Delhi, while other states have already adopted it. The scheme, which was recently expanded to cover all individuals over 70, has been hailed as a crucial step towards providing universal healthcare, but political reasons have caused delay in its adoption in Delhi and West Bengal.
A heated argument between TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee and BJP MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay during a joint parliamentary committee meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, turned violent when Banerjee smashed a glass water bottle and threw it at panel chairman Jagdambika Pal. This led to his suspension for one day and from two future meetings of the JPC. The incident has raised questions about the behaviour and conduct of MPs during important discussions and the impact it has on the country's image.
Congress party has criticized BJP's MP Kangana Ranaut for her outrageous and provocative statements against farmers. The party has demanded clarification from the union government on the MP's claims that foreign powers like America and China are instigating the ongoing farmers' protests. The Congress spokesperson also raised the question of the government's inaction against the MP, stating that a mere denial is not enough and concrete action must be taken against her.
A delegation of BJP MPs met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express their concerns about the recent Supreme Court observation on identifying the creamy layer within the SC and ST communities. Following the meeting, Modi reassured the MPs of the NDA government's continued commitment to the welfare of these communities. This meeting came after Justice B.R. Gavai suggested that states should develop policies to identify the creamy layer and exclude them from reservation benefits.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned amidst chaos as opposition MPs staged protests against BJP MP Anurag Thakur for his remarks on caste made during a debate on the Union Budget. Despite assurances, his remarks were not expunged from the parliamentary record, leading to a breach of privilege notice being filed against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The protests continued as Congress MPs stormed the Well of the House and raised slogans against Mr. Thakur and the ruling party.
The Lok Sabha was plunged into chaos when BJP MP, Anurag Thakur, made a veiled comment about Congress and Rahul Gandhi regarding the caste census issue. The remark sparked an uproar, with Gandhi interrupting Thakur's speech and asserting that the Congress party will get the caste census bill passed. Despite attempts to restore order, MPs continued to express their dissatisfaction, with Gandhi stating that he will take all the abuse in his fight for the downtrodden. This sparked a response from Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, who questioned the inquiry of someone's caste.
Union Ministers, BJP and JD(S) MPs from Karnataka have submitted a joint memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, criticizing the state government's handling of finances. They claim that the state's fiscal situation has deteriorated due to mismanagement, leading to high inflation and increased borrowings. However, Siddaramaiah dismisses the allegations, stating that the state's financial condition is under control.
Om Birla has been elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker for the second consecutive time, making him the first BJP leader to serve in this coveted position for two terms. The election was conducted by voice vote, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House, Rahul Gandhi, congratulating him after he assumed the post. The NDA's majority was in favor of Birla, with 297 MPs voting for him, while the Opposition's candidate, Congress MP K. Suresh, received 232 votes. This is a significant win for the BJP and Birla, who have worked to gain the support of opposition parties for his candidacy.
In a show of protest against the ruling coalition government, members of the opposition held up copies of the Constitution of India during the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers in the 18th Lok Sabha. The NDA holds a majority with 293 seats, while the BJP has 240 seats, just shy of the 272 majority mark. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of attacking the Constitution, while MPs showcased India's linguistic diversity by taking their oaths in various languages. The Parliament session has been adjourned for the day and will reconvene tomorrow.