Tensions escalate in Rajya Sabha over Rahul issue, Opposition stages walkout

The Congress and other Opposition parties staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha on Thursday (February 5, 2026), accusing the government of preventing Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi from speaking during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. The protest followed a heated exchange between the Treasury and Opposition benches.

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In the Upper House, Leader of the Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attempted to read out excerpts from an unpublished book by former Army chief M.M. Naravane, the very point of contention in the Lok Sabha. Chairman and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan disallowed him from doing so, prompting Opposition members to walk out in protest.

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Leader of the House J.P. Nadda criticised the Congress, remarking that the party should not allow itself to be held hostage by an “abodh balak (ignorant child)”, in a reference to Mr. Gandhi.

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Tensions escalated soon after Zero Hour began. Raising the issue first, Mr. Kharge said Mr. Gandhi had not been permitted to speak in the Lok Sabha despite wanting to address matters of national interest. Before he could continue, Mr. Radhakrishnan ruled that the proceedings of the Lok Sabha could not be discussed in the Rajya Sabha, and handed the floor to Mr. Nadda.

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Mr. Nadda countered, saying that the Opposition should advise its Lok Sabha members to participate in the debate rather than disrupt the House. Opposition MPs responded with slogans, alleging that democracy was being “throttled”. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju questioned the timing of the protest, noting that the Rajya Sabha debate had proceeded uninterrupted for three days.

Reiterating his ruling, the Rajya Sabha Chairman cited a precedent based on an intervention by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, advising against references to Lok Sabha proceedings in the Upper House.

Held hostage by ‘ignorant child’

Mr. Nadda said the government was prepared for discussion “in all forms and at all times”. He advised Mr. Kharge, as Congress chief, to run the party independently and not allow it to become hostage to the “abodh balak”. He added: “Yaha par abhiman, ahankar aur abodh ho kar kaam nahi karna chahiye... Abodh aur ahankar are deadly mixture aur is se bach kar ke rahe (You shouldn’t let pride, arrogance and ignorance dictate... Arrogance and ignorance are a potent combination and you should stay away from it).”

Condemning Mr. Nadda’s remark, Mr. Kharge said such language was unacceptable and accused the BJP of stifling democratic processes. He added that BJP members were not free to speak their minds even as they lectured the Opposition.