Opposition Confronts Speaker Over Parliamentary Practices, Seeks Action

Opposition parties in India confronted Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla over the exclusion of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi from parliamentary discussions, citing violations of parliamentary traditions and procedural grievances. They highlighted concerns regarding the government's perceived politicization of the House, the absence of a deputy speaker since 2019, and inadequate deliberation on private bills. Meanwhile, in Maharashtra, NCP MLA Anna Bansode was declared the new deputy speaker of the assembly, a position he assumed unopposed amid criticism from opposition parties for the lack of dialogue prior to his nomination. Bansode's appointment marks a significant development for the Pimpri-Chinchwad region, as it has been nearly two decades since a leader from this area held such a post. Opposition parties expressed their discontent regarding the government's approach and the implications for democratic processes in both the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly. These events reflect underlying tensions between government and opposition as parliamentary practices come under scrutiny.