Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi shows a copy of the unpublished “memoir” of former Army chief M.M. Naravane during the Budget Session of Parliament on February 4, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday (February 4, 2026) displayed the purported unpublished “memoir” of former Army chief M.M. Naravane in the Parliament premises, saying that he would personally hand over a copy of ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ to Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he comes to the Lok Sabha.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Gandhi cited excerpts from the ‘memoir’, asserting that the contents of the book reveal the “truth” about the government’s response during the face-off in eastern Ladakh in October 2020. Lok Sabha saw repeated adjournments during the day as Opposition members continued with constant sloganeering.
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The unpublished book reportedly discusses decision-making during the 2020 face-off with China, including the former Army chief’s conversations with the Defence Minister and the Prime Minister.
“Government says this book does not exist, the Speaker has said this book does not exist, Rajnath Singh has said this book does not exist… This is Mr. Naravane’s book where he has written the full account of Ladakh. I have been told that I cannot quote this book…,” Mr. Gandhi said in the Parliament premises.
“Narendra Modi ji did not fulfill his responsibility,” the LoP claimed, adding that Gen. Naravane “has written it clearly that he felt really alone and that he was abandoned by the entire establishment”.
“I don’t think the Prime Minister will have the guts to come to the Lok Sabha today because if he comes, I am going to give him this book. If the PM comes, I will go physically and hand him this book so he can read it and the country can get to know the truth,” he added.
Rahul Gandhi, Union MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu spar outside Parliament
Amidst repeated adjournments in the Lower House, several Congress MPs including Mr. Gandhi staged a protest on the Parliament premises with a poster titled ‘’PM is compromised’’. The MPs also included those who were suspended for the remainder of the Budget session for “unruly behaviour’’ on Tuesday (February 3, 2026).
During this, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu and Mr. Gandhi engaged in an exchange of words outside the Parliament, with the Lok Sabha LoP calling Bittuu a “traitor.” The jibe came in reference to Mr. Bittu quitting the Congress and switched to the BJP in 2024.
Mr. Gandhi said, “Here is a traitor walking right by. Look at the face.” The Congress leader offered to shake his hands, saying, “Hello, brother, my traitor friend. Don’t worry, you will come back (to Congress).”
The Union MoS refused to shake hands and called Mr. Gandhi, “Desh ke dushman (enemy of the state)”.
The major political row began from Mr. Gandhi’s insistence on quoting a part about 2020 border tensions with China from the unpublished book, excerpts of which were carried by a magazine. This paralysed the functioning of the Lok Sabha on Monday (February 2, 2026) as it took up for discussion the motion of thanks to the President’s address.
Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju repeatedly asked the Speaker not to let him mention the book as it was not published. Mr. Birla gave a ruling, invoking Rule 349(i) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, that no book or article can be quoted except in connection with business in the House.
With ANI inputs
Published – February 04, 2026 01:08 pm IST
