Feb 12 News Live: BJP MP Dubey moves substantive motion against Rahul Gandhi

Centre may drop privilege move; Rahul's remarks face expunction

The Centre is unlikely to proceed with a privilege motion against Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, even though portions of his speech on Wednesday may be struck off the record, reported ANI, quoting sources. The move to expunge parts of his remarks is being considered on the grounds that the allegations he levelled were not formally substantiated.

The development follows a statement by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who had said BJP members intended to initiate a privilege notice against Gandhi for “misleading the House and making baseless statements.” Rijiju argued that Gandhi had made serious and unfounded charges against the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“We are going to file a privilege notice against Rahul Gandhi for misleading the House and also making baseless statements. There are very clear-cut rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. When a member intends to make serious charges against another member, then you have to give notice and also substantiate the allegation,” he said.

“I have requested that Rahul Gandhi be called to the floor of the House to authenticate the points he has made. Rahul Gandhi has made useless and false allegations against the government, against the Prime Minister, saying that the Prime Minister has sold India and Indian interests. On what basis? He has made a serious allegation against Hardeep Singh Puri without giving any notice,” Rijiju added.

Earlier, Gandhi had questioned why industrialist Anil Ambani had not been jailed, claiming his name figured in files linked to Jeffrey Epstein. He also alleged pressure on the Prime Minister over the India–US nuclear deal and said no prime minister would ordinarily take decisions affecting “data, farmers, energy security and defence” in the manner he described.

Giriraj Singh attacks Rahul, seeks privilege motion

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of misleading the public and demanding action against him.

Speaking to reporters, Singh said, “There is no bigger liar than Rahul Gandhi in the country... He wants to start civil war in the country... He lies in the temple of truth.” He rejected Gandhi’s recent allegations on farmers and trade, asserting that cultivators would not suffer under the current government. “Under PM Modi, farmers can never face injustice. When the Agriculture Minister and Commerce Minister are assuring the same, then what is it that you have on whose basis you are spreading misinformation?” he asked.

Singh also issued a warning, saying, “When your files regarding China, Cambodia, and Bareilly are opened, you will find out...” He added that the electorate had seen through Gandhi’s politics. “The people of India have recognised you, and you will never come to power again... Privilege motion should be brought against him (Rahul Gandhi).”

Ready for privilege motion, alleges bias: KC Venugopal

Congress MP K.C. Venugopal on Thursday said the party was prepared to confront any privilege motion brought against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, asserting that such steps would not deter them.

“We are ready to face privilege motion... The last time they tried to cancel his membership, the people gave him more votes than PM Modi got. We will continue to tell the truth in the Parliament,” Venugopal said, referring to the earlier disqualification episode involving Gandhi.

He also alleged that the Opposition was not being treated fairly in the House. “Continuously, we have been complaining that we are not getting justice from the Chair. The government is pressuring the Chair not to give the Opposition a chance to speak. I got to know what Rahul Gandhi said was expunged...” he said.

Venugopal’s remarks come amid escalating tensions between the Treasury benches and the Opposition over Gandhi’s recent speech and the possibility of formal action against him.

CPI MP Sandosh Kumar P says Kerala ignored in Union Budget

CPI MP Sandosh Kumar P on Thursday criticised the Union Budget, calling it skewed in favour of corporate interests and offering little relief to ordinary citizens.

He said there was nothing in the Budget that would give the average person reason to feel encouraged, and argued that Kerala had once again been overlooked in central allocations. According to him, the state had submitted a detailed memorandum listing 29 demands and seeking a comprehensive assistance package, but none of those proposals were accommodated. He questioned whether Kerala was being treated as an equal part of the country.

Among the requests he highlighted were the establishment of an AIIMS in the state and approval for a high-speed corridor project.

Sandosh Kumar also raised concerns about fiscal devolution, arguing that if the Centre collects Rs 100 from Kerala, it should return at least half that amount, rather than the roughly 25 per cent he claimed the state currently receives.

Congress MP from Karnataka, Chandrashekhar, says key schemes get small Budget share

Congress MP G.C. Chandrashekhar on Thursday criticised the Union Budget 2026 in the Rajya Sabha, arguing that headline figures mask inadequate allocations to key programmes.

Referring to the total outlay of around Rs 53.4 lakh crore, the Karnataka MP said flagship schemes are receiving only a fraction of the overall expenditure.

He accused the government of relying on optics rather than substance. To back his claims, he cited data on allocations and actual spending across sectors, reading out figures in the House to argue that the Budget falls short of expectations and does not adequately address pressing needs.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm. The proceedings in the Lower House will resume after lunch. 

No privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi: Sources

The government will not bring a privilege motion against LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. However, words and lines from the speech delivered by Rahul Gandhi yesterday will likely be expunged, as the allegations he made were not authenticated: Sources told news agency ANI

Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh seeks withdrawal of Labour Code

Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh on Thursday criticised the Industrial Relations Code during a discussion in the Lok Sabha, arguing that the legislation fails to address deeper problems in the labour market, particularly the decline in women’s participation.

Suresh said female participation in the workforce remains uneven and has fallen in recent years, contending that the new labour codes do little to reverse the trend. He accused the government of sidelining consultation in pushing through reforms. “Instead of dialogue, the government has chosen dominance,” he alleged as quoted by The Hindu.

Drawing a contrast with the previous Congress-led administration, Suresh said, “The UPA government was a pro-labour government, unlike the current regime. We introduced MGNREGA, upheld social justice, introduced food security act, and helped all labourers across sectors.”

He also criticised what he described as the ongoing privatisation of public sector undertakings, arguing that it undermines job security. “We demand that the Bill be withdrawn,” he said.

Rahul makes ‘keywords’ jibe on privilege move

After Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said a privilege motion would be brought against him for allegedly misleading the House and making “baseless statements,” Rahul Gandhi responded briefly when asked for his reaction.

“Do they provide you keywords... you people get keywords,” the Congress leader said, suggesting that the phrasing of the question echoed the government’s line.

Lok Sabha Takes Up Industrial Relations Code Bill

The Lok Sabha on Thursday took up discussion on the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, even as trade unions across the country observed a day-long strike against the labour codes.

Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had introduced the “Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026” on Wednesday through a supplementary agenda shortly after Question Hour. The proposed changes are now before the House for debate.

The timing of the discussion drew attention, with employees and workers affiliated to a joint forum of central trade unions staging protests against the four labour codes, which they have long opposed. Union leaders have argued that the codes dilute protections and weaken collective bargaining rights.

The government, however, has maintained that the reforms aim to simplify compliance and modernise labour regulations. With Parliament debating amendments even as workers strike outside, the issue has once again brought labour policy to the centre of political contestation.