Feb 11 News Live | After Rahul's fiery attack, Nirmala Sitharaman speaks in Parliament

Manoj Tiwari slams Rahul Gandhi over ‘authentication’ claim on Epstein files

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari on Monday attacked Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks outside Parliament linking Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and industrialist Anil Ambani to US Department of Justice files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Gandhi had claimed he would “authenticate the data” and alleged that the government had not responded to summons in an Adani-linked case for 18 months.

“A person whose grandparents sold the country would not get any other thoughts,” Tiwari said, targeting Gandhi.

“Today, as India becomes a world leader, some want to highlight the country's shortcomings. These people like ‘majboor Bharat, not majboot Bharat’,” he added.

“He doesn't know what authenticating is,” Tiwari said.

“It is ironic that LoP doesn't know the meaning of authentication,” he added, accusing Gandhi of making irresponsible claims instead of contributing constructively to the Budget discussion.

Rijiju flags privilege breach over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Hardeep Puri

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday accused Congress MP Rahul Gandhi of making “wild allegations” against Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri during the Budget discussion in the Lok Sabha, and said the BJP would move a privilege notice. Gandhi had alleged outside Parliament that US Department of Justice files related to Jeffrey Epstein mention Hardeep Puri and industrialist Anil Ambani, and claimed the government had not responded to summons in an Adani-linked case for 18 months.

“He has made a serious allegation against Minister Hardeep Singh Puri without giving any notice. It is a serious breach of privilege. We will file the necessary notice with the Speaker,” Rijiju said.

“LoP did not make any useful substantive contribution to the Budget Discussion. He was only making wild allegations,” he added.

“I told him to be present in the House when the Finance Minister replies to the Budget at 5 PM today. After his speech, he immediately went out of the House,” Rijiju said.

“The rule is that once a member makes his speech, he cannot leave the House immediately after his speech is over,” he added.

‘Budget for the entire country,’ says Ashokrao Chavan; flags rail push in Maharashtra

BJP MP Ashokrao Shankarrao Chavan, speaking during the discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, said the Budget centres youth power while strengthening women, farmers, entrepreneurs, the poor and other underprivileged sections.

“This is a budget for the entire country,” he said, describing it as inclusive and development-oriented.

Chavan highlighted improvements in the railway sector, particularly in Maharashtra, noting progress in electrification across the state. He called for faster work on the Nanded-Bidar railway line and sought approval for a Latur-Nanded rail link, stating that the BJP’s commitment to expanding railway coverage by over 3,000 km nationwide should include these projects.

He added that Maharashtra stands to benefit from the Budget’s focus on agriculture, especially provisions supporting cash crops such as cashew.

Budget carries ‘Vikas express’ towards Viksit Bharat: Anurag Thakur

BJP MP Anurag Thakur, replying to the discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, said the Budget strengthens key sections of society and accelerates India’s development journey.

“Indian women are born economists with rare foresight and natural accountants by instinct. This Budget boosts the poor with welfare, women with strength, farmers with progress and youth with opportunities,” Thakur said.

He added that the Budget “carries forward the Vikas express to Viksit Bharat,” underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive growth and long-term development.

Thakur went on to list the sectors he said would benefit from the Budget, outlining gains across areas ranging from agriculture and infrastructure to entrepreneurship, technology, education and social welfare. According to him, the Budget’s provisions span “A to Z” sectors of the economy, reflecting a comprehensive approach aimed at strengthening livelihoods, expanding opportunities and sustaining economic momentum across the country.

Rahul Gandhi alleges ‘pressure’ on PM, links leaders to Epstein files

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, speaking outside the Lok Sabha after his speech on the Union Budget, claimed that there was “direct pressure” on the Prime Minister and alleged that the government had failed to respond to summons in an ongoing case involving the Adani Group.

“I have said that I will authenticate the data. There are Department of Justice files on Epstein files naming Hardeep Puri and Anil Ambani. In an ongoing case against Adani, summons have been issued. The government of India has not responded for the last 18 months,” Gandhi said.

“There is direct pressure on the Prime Minister. The main thing is that no PM would do this in a normal situation. In a normal situation, no PM would do what has happened in terms of data, farmers, energy security and defence,” he added.

“Someone would do this only when there is a certain grip on them,” Gandhi said.

Chair pulls up Rahul; he says “nation has been sold”

Pal pulls up Rahul for not speaking on the Budget, saying he needs to follow the rules of the House and speak on the issue being discussed, which is a general discussion in the Union Budget.

Rahul concludes, saying “we are heading into turbulent times and the nation has been sold.” 

Rahul calls US deal ‘total surrender’, House erupts

“I do not believe any Indian PM, including Mr Modi, would sign such a deal unless there is a choke on him. We have buckled on tariffs, we have handed out our data, given up our control on digital trade rules and given a 20-year tax holiday. All our valuable assets have been handed over. Our farmers, textiles have been wiped out; our energy security has been handed over,” said Rahul Gandhi.

“I don't believe any Indian PM would have done this. This is a total surrender, a wholesale surrender and a tragedy. This is a surrender of the future of 1.5 billion Indians, and it has been done to protect the BJP's financial structure against which there is a case in the US,” he added.

Rijiju objects, saying Rahul is repeating the same allegations against the PM. Rijiju demands that Rahul authenticate the allegations levelled by him. Rahul says he will authenticate immediately.

Jagdambika Pal says authentication was a request made by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister and not by the Chair and tells Rahul "not to authenticate right now". Pal says there is a procedure for authentication which the LoP needs to follow.

Rahul reiterates that the names of Hardeep Puri and Anil Ambani are mentioned in the Department of Justice disclosures in the US in the Epstein case.

Rahul’s fresh Epstein jibe expunged in LS

“There is a certain businessman whose name is in the Epstein files, and there are cases against him, but he is not in jail,” says Rahul Gandhi.

Jagdambika Pal says only matters related to the budget will be allowed.

Rahul quips, “You (Pal) are a former Congress member. I will do you a favour. Pal orders expunging these remarks too and tells Rahul, "If you had listened to my advice, you would not be sitting there (in Opposition).

Rahul names Anil Ambani; Remarks expunged in LS

“There is a businessman called Mr. Anil Ambani. I want to know why he is not in jail. His name is in the Epstein files. He was introduced by a minister called Mr. Hardeep Puri,” said Rahul Gandhi.

Pal says allegations will not be allowed as they pertain to a matter pending before the judiciary, adding that the LoP has levelled a charge against a minister, and as per Rule 353, no such allegations can be made in the House unless the member against whom allegations are being made is given notice.

Pal orders expunging Rahul's allegations against Hardeep Puri from the record. Congress MPs protest,  asking do these rules apply only to the LoP, because another BJP MP had made allegations against two former PMs and his remarks were not expunged.

Rahul Gandhi targets Adani; remarks barred in Lok Sabha

“At the centre of the choke is Mr. Adani and the defence deal because there is a case against Mr. Adani in the US,” said Rahul Gandhi. Jagdambika Pal says mention of Adani will not be allowed.

“Mr. Adani is not an ordinary businessman. His company is not an ordinary company. The case in the US is targeted at the PM, not Mr. Adani. It is targeted at the financial structure of the BJP,” added Rahul.

Pal says such allegations will not be allowed. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and senior BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad object, saying allegations of the LoP are baseless.