BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday submitted a notice in the Lok Sabha to move a substantive motion against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of misleading the House and seeking termination of his parliamentary membership. Sources, meanwhile, indicated that the BJP-led NDA has, for now, decided not to proceed with a privilege motion against Gandhi.
Instead, the government opted to expunge “objectionable” portions of Gandhi’s speech delivered in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday from the parliamentary record.
Dubey, in his notice, alleged that Gandhi made unsubstantiated claims in Parliament and engaged with foreign organisations to tarnish India’s image and described Gandhi’s actions, both inside and outside Parliament, as “inimical to the country.”
“I have moved a motion in the Lok Sabha against Rahul Gandhi for misleading the nation with the help of forces like George Soros, who want to harm the country. I have requested that his membership be terminated and that he be barred for life from contesting elections,” Dubey told the media.
In his notice, the BJP MP claimed that Gandhi had engaged with organisations such as the Soros Foundation, the Ford Foundation and USAID, and had travelled to countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the United States to carry out “anti-India activities.” He further alleged that Gandhi used the “pious dais of Parliament” to foment public sentiment and level unsubstantiated allegations against institutions, including the Election Commission of India and the Supreme Court, thereby lowering the dignity of the House without substantive evidence.
The controversy follows Gandhi’s remarks in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, in which he alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi compromised India’s interests under US pressure, following which Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the BJP will move a privilege notice against Gandhi for “misleading the House and making baseless statements.”
Sources suggested that the Centre has strategically chosen not to pursue a privilege motion in order to prioritise debate over formal disciplinary proceedings during the ongoing Budget session. Pursuing a privilege motion could escalate tensions and may not receive unanimous support from allies. By expunging remarks and responding through debate — including a possible reply by Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri — the government will be able to counter Gandhi’s claims without triggering a full-fledged privilege discussion that could further spotlight the Opposition leader.
A substantive motion is an independent proposal intended to express the sense of the House on an issue, while a privilege motion pertains specifically to an alleged breach of parliamentary privilege. According to experts, substantive motions are mostly independent, self-contained proposals addressing issues that require prior notice and debate. Privilege motions are urgent, high-priority motions raised when a member believes rights or the House’s privileges have been breached, often requiring immediate attention.