Why was the Lok Sabha adjourned just a minute into proceedings?
Synopsis
On February 10, the Lok Sabha faced unprecedented disruption, adjourning a mere minute after reconvening. Opposition demands for a speech from Rahul Gandhi led to chaos, highlighting ongoing tensions in parliamentary proceedings. This incident underscores the challenges of legislative discourse amidst escalating political strife.
Key Takeaways
Lok Sabha adjourned after just one minute of proceedings Opposition's sloganeering disrupted the session Gandhi's insistence on discussing an unpublished book was a focal point Speaker's assurance for equal speaking time for all parties Political tensions continue to escalate
New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) The Lok Sabha was adjourned at 11:01 a.m. on Tuesday, just one minute after it reconvened at 11:00 a.m.. This resulted in a mere one minute of proceedings in the House.
The adjournment took place as Opposition MPs continued their sloganeering, a tactic they have employed consistently over the past week. They have been insisting that the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, should be permitted to address the House.
Even though the Speaker allowed him to speak on the Union Budget, Gandhi insisted on discussing the “unpublished book” by former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane (Retd.).
Earlier on Monday, Gandhi alleged that Speaker Om Birla had assured him that he would be allowed to speak prior to the Union Budget discussions, which sparked a rebuttal from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and led to further chaos, resulting in a suspension of the session for the day.
After a second adjournment, the Lok Sabha reconvened at 2 p.m., but was once again adjourned just seven minutes later.
As Sandhya Ray, who was in the Chair, called upon Congress member Shashi Tharoor to speak on the Union Budget according to the order of speakers, he requested her to allow the LoP to speak.
“Our members approached the Speaker. He confirmed that I would be allowed to address the House and raise some points before the Budget discussion. Now, you are going back on your word. Am I allowed to speak on those points?” Gandhi queried.
“No,” Ray responded.
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister then stated, “I was present in the Speaker's Chamber, along with (Congress member K.C.) Venugopal. The Speaker mentioned that if there was consensus, the House should proceed smoothly; Venugopal expressed that he wanted the LoP to speak. Everyone would decide what they wanted to discuss before giving permission to speak. Gandhi's statement is not entirely accurate; the Speaker did not promise exclusive time for Congress, but said every party would get a chance to speak.”
Opposition MPs rejected the Minister’s comments and continued to create a ruckus in the House, leading to the day's adjournment.
The Opposition members maintained their disruptive behavior and continued their chanting.
Members of the Congress party demanded that the Speaker permit the Leader of the Opposition to speak. The Speaker responded that all members would be given an opportunity to address the House according to the rules after the Question Hour.
He noted that Gandhi could raise his issues during the upcoming debate on the Union Budget as well. However, due to ongoing disruptions, he chose to adjourn the session.
Gandhi was unable to conclude his speech during the Motion of Thanks for the President's Address the previous week, as he was prohibited from mentioning the “unpublished book” of the former Army Chief.
Point of View
I observe that the recent adjournment of the Lok Sabha showcases the critical need for effective dialogue and cooperation among political parties. While the Opposition's demands for speaking time reflect their concerns, the House's functionality hinges on adhering to parliamentary decorum and regulations. The situation calls for leaders to prioritize constructive debate over disruption.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the adjournment of the Lok Sabha?
The Lok Sabha was adjourned due to ongoing disruptions and sloganeering by Opposition MPs demanding to hear from Rahul Gandhi.
How long was the Lok Sabha in session before it was adjourned?
The Lok Sabha was in session for just one minute, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:01 a.m.
What was Rahul Gandhi's demand during the session?
Rahul Gandhi demanded to speak on the 'unpublished book' of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane.
Was Rahul Gandhi allowed to speak on the Union Budget?
Yes, the Speaker permitted Rahul Gandhi to discuss the Union Budget, but he insisted on addressing the unpublished book instead.
What was the response from the Speaker regarding the Opposition's demands?
The Speaker assured that all members would get a chance to speak according to the rules after the Question Hour.
