Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi speaks in the House during the Budget session of Parliament on February 3, 2026. Photo credit: Sansad TV via PTI
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved a resolution in Lok Sabha on Tuesday (February 3, 2026), to suspend eight Opposition MPs — seven Congress MPs and one CPI(M) MP — for the remainder of the session. The suspended members are Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, C. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Prashant Padole and Dean Kuriakose (all Congress) and CPI(M)’s S. Venkatesan.
Also Read |Rahul Gandhi-Om Birla face off: Rule 349 silent on published or unpublished texts, says expert
The said members were seen tearing up papers and throwing it towards the Chair prompting Mr. Rijiju to move the resolution.
Follow the Parliament Budget Session Day 5 LIVE | February 3, 2026
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day after the motion. The Lower House witnessed multiple adjournments amidst Opposition protests as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was again prevented from quoting from former Army chief M.M. Naravane’s unpublished memoir on India-China conflict.
Congress members protested the Chair, K.P. Tenneti, calling other members to speak without the LoP completing his speech.
Prior to that, the Chair asked Mr. Gandhi to not deviate, but to stick to speaking on the President’s address. “The conflict between China and the U.S. is the biggest global talking point. It is reflected both in the Budget and the President’s address,” Mr. Gandhi said.
Mr. Gandhi further added that there was a conflict between India and China. The Chair then moved on to other speakers. When none from Opposition benches spoke, he called Harish Balayogi of Telugu Desam Party, an NDA ally. That’s when Congress members escalated their protests.
Mr. Gandhi on Tuesday (February 3) authenticated a copy of an article in the Lok Sabha which cited former Army chief Naravane’s unpublished ‘memoir’. As soon as he was asked to speak on the Motion of Thanks, he cited the Speaker’s ruling of Monday (February 2) and authenticated the copy of the article. “I have authenticated it,” he said.
To authenticate a document, a member has to submit a signed copy of it, affirming that it is correct to the best of his knowledge. Mr. Tenneti, who was chairing the House, asked him to table it and said, “We will examine it and get back”.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Speaker Om Birla has given his ruling and Mr Gandhi is misleading. Mr. Rijiju said the government has conveyed its stand to K.C. Venugopal and Gaurav Gogoi.
Earlier, the Lower House was adjourned till 3 p.m., before that till 2 p.m., and before that till noon, with the Opposition continuing their protest as the House was hearing various Motions.
On Monday (January 2), Mr. Gandhi was prevented from responding to Tejasvi Surya’s charges against the Congress party by using quotes from former Army chief M.M. Naravane’s unpublished memoir.
(with inputs from PTI)
Published – February 03, 2026 03:17 pm IST
