Lok Sabha highlights: House adjourned after uproar over Birla's remarks on Emergency, Indira Gandhi

Lok Sabha Speaker news updates: BJP MPs staged protest inside the Parliament premises over Emergency. NDA's candidate Om Birla has been elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker on Wednesday

5:00 PM

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla recognises Rahul Gandhi as LoP

Speaker Om Birla on wednesday recognised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, effective from June 9.

4:50 PM

Emergency was imposed to save Indira Gandhi's chair: BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad

"Today was a very historic day, when 50 years of the Emergency were completed, in the 18th parliament, the speaker, through this resolution, put forth the truth that Emergency was imposed only and only to save Indira Gandhi's chair. Today, after 50 years, we are dedicated, emergency will never be imposed and the Congress party should stop pretending by keeping the book of constitution," BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said. 

4:33 PM

Has inflation decreased? Let's focus on present state of the country, says Dimple Yadav

 "We should focus on the present state of the country. Do our youth have jobs? Has inflation decreased? It would be more beneficial to discuss ways to improve the future," Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dimple Yadav stated today.

3:59 PM

Didn't ask for division of votes, wanted consensus on first day, says Congress leader Jairam Ramesh

"We didn't ask for a division of votes. We felt it was appropriate to foster a consensus on the first day, creating an atmosphere of unity. This was a constructive step from our side. We could have asked for a division (of votes), but we chose not to," Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said today.

3:41 PM

Speaker raised an issue that had not been discussed in a manner that came across as confrontational: Tharoor

"It has been a rather dramatic start to the session because you had all Opposition leaders standing up and saying that they hope that the Speaker would conduct the House in a manner that is fair to all Opposition parties and that would take everyone's point of view into account and give everyone's voice and opportunity to be heard. What we saw was the Speaker, unfortunately, raising a matter that had not been discussed in the House and in a manner that came across as confrontational which was not the right note on which to start the session. But we will have to see how things proceed," Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said today.

On Resolution against Emergency, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says,

3:09 PM

It is important for today’s youth to know what happens when the Constitution is trampled over: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lauded Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for making a statement about Emergency in the House, saying that “it is important for today’s youth to know what happens when the Constitution is trampled over.”

 

“I am glad that the Honourable Speaker strongly condemned the Emergency, highlighted the excesses committed during that time and also mentioned the manner in which democracy was strangled. It was also a wonderful gesture to stand in silence in honour of all those who suffered during those days,” PM Modi stated.

 

3:01 PM

For her political selfishness, Indira Gandhi murdered democracy, imposed Emergency: BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj

"It is strange that the Congress party is showing the Constitution in Parliament and has forgot its own history that 50 years ago, the Congress party, for power, and Indira Gandhi, for her political selfishness, had murdered the democracy and imposed Emergency in India. Congress should apologise for Emergency," said Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj, as NDA leaders staged a protest inside Parliament premises over Emergency. 

2:04 PM

News update: Lok Sabha adjourned; to meet again tomorrow

1:57 PM

NDA MPs stage protest against Emergency in Parliament premises

NDA MPs protested and raised slogans at the Makar Dwar of the Parliament on the 49th anniversary of the Emergency.

1:44 PM

Lok Sabha adjourned after uproar over Om Birla’s remarks on Indira Gandhi and Emergency

There was an uproar by MPs in the Lower House today after Speaker Om Birla read out a statement on the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975. 

1:39 PM

In his first speech after becoming Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla condemns Emergency

"This House strongly condemns the decision to impose Emergency in 1975. Along with this, we appreciate the determination of all those people who opposed the Emergency, fought and fulfilled the responsibility of protecting the democracy of India. 25th June 1975 will always be known as a black chapter in the history of India. On this day, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in the country and attacked the Constitution made by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. India is known all over the world as the mother of democracy. Democratic values ​​and debate have always been supported in India. Democratic values ​​have always been protected, they have always been encouraged. Dictatorship was imposed on such an India by Indira Gandhi. The democratic values ​​of India were crushed and freedom of expression was strangled," Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said.

1:33 PM

Would follow Parliamentary decorum but there should be no deadlock in the House, says Om Birla

“We come to this House after getting elected from different parts of the country and people have a lot of expectations from us. Therefore I believe that there should be no deadlock in the house. Discussion should be held, and views and criticism should be expressed. But there should be no deadlock in the House,” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said.

1:21 PM

He is the same Lok Sabha Speaker who suspended more than 100 MPs at once: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut

"He is the same Lok Sabha Speaker who suspended more than 100 MPs at once," Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said on Om Birla's r-election as the Lok Sabha Speaker.

12:55 PM

Lok Sabha has changed, now the BJP will not be able to steamroll its way: AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi

"I congratulate you. You are the repository and custodian of this House...so, I urge you to give opportunities to small parties. I am confident that this Government will reduce your burden by having a Deputy Speaker. You should not be burdened a lot. The character of this House has changed, now the BJP will not be able to do steamroll," AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said today.

12:52 PM

Want to remind BJP that they would have to work according to Constitution: RS MP Priyanka Chaturvedi

"I want to congratulate Om Birla for his second term but it would be noted in history that there was a candidate against him... I want to remind the BJP that they would have to work according to the Constitution," Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said today after Birla got re-elected as Lok Sabha Speaker.

12:32 PM

It should be an effort to see that you do not think of suspension in the next 5 yrs: Supriya Sule to Om Birla

"A lot has been done. In 5 years, you have done very good work. But when 150 of my colleagues were suspended, we were all saddened. So, it should be an effort to see that you do not think of suspension in the next 5 years. We are always ready for dialogues," NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule said today.

12:23 PM

Suspension of members in previous LS was undesirable, says Trinamool leader

Suspension of members in previous Lok Sabha was undesirable, Trinamool leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay said today.

12:12 PM

Be impartial, impartial and impartial: DMK leader TR Baalu

"I only request you to be impartial, impartial and impartial," DMK leader T R Baalu to  LS Speaker Om Birla.

12:04 PM

Expect that it won't just be the opposition under check: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav

"We will stand by all your just decisions and expect that it won't just be the opposition under check," SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to LS speaker. 

11:55 AM

Important that the voice of Opposition is allowed to be represented in the House: LoP Rahul Gandhi

"I would like to congratulate you on behalf of the entire Opposition and the INDIA alliance. This House represents the voice of India's people and you are the final arbiter of that voice. The government has political power but the opposition also represents the voice of India's people and this time, the opposition represents significantly more voice of the Indian people than it did last time. The opposition would like to assist you in doing your work. We would like the House to function often and well. It is very important that cooperation happens on the basis of trust. It is very important that the voice of the Opposition is allowed to be represented in this House," says Rahul Gandhi.

11:52 AM

Previous Lok Sabha passed several path-breaking legislations under your leadership: PM Modi to Speaker Birla

"The works that didn't happen during 70 years of independence, were made possible by this House under your chairmanship. Several milestones come in the long journey of democracy. A few occasions are such when we receive the opportunity to establish milestones. I am very confident that the country will be proud of the achievements of the 17th Lok Sabha," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.

11:40 AM

PM Modi congratulates Om Birla on being elected Lok Sabha speaker

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Om Birla on being elected the Lok Sabha speaker today. 

11:25 AM

PM Modi, LoP Rahul Gandhi and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju accompany Om Birla to the Chair

11:18 AM

News update: Om Birla elected as Lok Sabha Speaker

BJP's Om Birla, a three-time MP from Kota in Rajasthan, was pitted against the Congress' K Suresh, an eight-term parliamentarian from Kerala's Mavelikara. 

11:09 AM

News update: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh seconds motion for Birla's election as LS Speaker

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh seconds Motion moved by PM for Birla's election as Lok Sabha Speaker. 

11:08 AM

News update: Lok Sabha session begins, PM Modi moves motion to pick Om Birla as LS Speaker

10:57 AM

Lok Sabha Speaker LIVE: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi arrives at Parliament

The Congress wrote to Pro-tem speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab on June 25 and informed him Rahul Gandhi will be Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

10:45 AM

YSRCP likely to shore up support to Om Birla in Lok Sabha Speaker poll

The YSRCP is likely to support NDA candidate Om Birla in the Lok Sabha Speaker election in case its support is needed. The party has four Lok Sabha members. "Officially we will announce our decision tomorrow but our support will be natural for the NDA candidate," YSRCP sources told PTI.

10:35 AM

Better for all of us to elect the Speaker unanimously: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju

"It is better for all of us to elect the Speaker unanimously. I think we still have time and we will make one more appeal to the Congress party but if we are pushed into the election, we are prepared,"  Kiren Rijiju said today.

10:23 AM

BJP doesn't believe in democracy, broke tradition, says Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on LS Speaker post

"BJP is responsible for this. The elections are taking place due to its lust for power and its intentions to bulldoze democracy. Had the traditions, the norms been followed, the Speaker post would have gone to the BJP unopposed and Deputy Speaker post would have gone to Congress and INDIA Alliance. But BJP doesn't believe in democracy. It broke that tradition. so this will be our democratic protest. We will not let them win just like that, we will raise our voice for the democratic tradition," Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said today.