NEW DELHI: While the first phase of the Budget Session ended amid uproar on February 13, 2026, the second phase could prove significant for both Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. A substantive motion moved against Gandhi may shape the tenor of proceedings when the House reconvenes on March 9.
On February 12, 2026, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey submitted a notice of a “Substantive Motion” to the Speaker, seeking cancellation of Rahul Gandhi’s membership and a lifetime ban on contesting elections. Moving the proposal under Rules 352(5) and 353 of the Lok Sabha, Dubey alleged that Gandhi made baseless allegations in the House, undermined the dignity of the armed forces and constitutional institutions, and was involved in “anti-India” activities in connivance with foreign entities such as the Soros Foundation.
The matter now rests with Speaker Om Birla, who must decide whether to refer it to the Privileges Committee, the Ethics Committee, or admit it directly for debate in the House. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised Rahul Gandhi over the issue, stating that BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has given notice for a substantive motion concerning Gandhi’s alleged use of unparliamentary language and references to an unpublished book against the Prime Minister. Rijiju said the government has, for now, dropped its own privilege notice in view of Dubey’s notice. He added that once the motion is admitted, the Speaker, in consultation with the House, will determine whether it should be referred to a committee or brought directly for discussion.
The issue may trigger a political deadlock in the second phase of the Budget Session, particularly as opposition parties have submitted a notice of no-confidence motion against Speaker Birla, while the substantive motion targets Rahul Gandhi. According to sources, the Speaker may admit the motion and allow discussion in the House. This would not be without precedent. On February 14, Dubey posted on X that in December 1970, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi lost her membership following a similar substantive motion and was subsequently jailed. The opposition has indicated that it is prepared to confront the challenge. Rahul Gandhi, in a post on X, stated: “Be it an FIR, a lawsuit, or a Privilege Motion—I will fight for the farmers. Any trade deal that takes away the livelihood of farmers or undermines the country’s food security is anti-farmer. We will not allow the anti-farmer Modi government to compromise on the interests of the farmers.”
With the second phase of the Budget Session beginning on March 9, attention is focused on how the Speaker will proceed. A substantive motion is an independent motion on which voting is mandatory after debate, and if passed, its outcome is binding.
