Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi claimed he had been repeatedly prevented from speaking in the Lok Sabha and asserted that the House represents the will of the entire nation, not any single political party.

While intervening during a debate on a resolution seeking the removal of speaker Om Birla, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the parliamentary forum, which should function as the voice of the people, was increasingly being used to silence opposition voices. Gandhi also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been ‘compromised’, adding that ‘everybody knows the result of that.’ 

Responding to allegations by BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, who cited Parliamentary procedures to claim that Leader of Opposition should measure his words carefully, especially on issues of national security, Gandhi said the House does not belong to any party but the entire country. Congress leader said, ‘The discussion here is about the democratic process and the role of the Speaker. But multiple times my name is being raised and vile things are being said about me’. ‘This House is the expression of the people’s will. It does not represent one party; it represents the whole country.’ 

Rahul Gandhi also claimed that he had recently been denied an opportunity to participate in a parliamentary debate, describing it as unprecedented. Gandhi stressed that important national issues he raised had been ignored or silenced.

Participating in the debate on the resolution against Birla, Ravi Shankar Prasad had earlier said that the motion to remove the speaker from his post should not be weaponised to ‘satisfy’ the ego of a leader. He said it was painful that the House is discussing the resolution, which is the result of the ego of a leader.

Quoting 'Practice and Procedure of Parliament', Prasad said the leader of the opposition should measure his words carefully, especially on issues of national security. His comments led to uproar by opposition members. Later, BJP MP Dilip Saikia, who was chairing the proceedings, allowed Gandhi to respond to the allegations.