The Lok Sabha on Tuesday saw heated exchange from Congress members after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra made a remark about Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. During a debate on supplementary demands for grants, excess grants, and the Manipur budget, BJP MP Sambit Patra compared cricket captain Rohit Sharma to Rahul Gandhi, citing a comment by Congress leader Shama Mohamed about Sharma’s fitness. The remark triggered strong objections from Congress MPs, according to news agency PTI.
Presiding over the session, Sandhya Rai assured that the remarks would be expunged, but the protests persisted. Speaker Om Birla later intervened, calling on both treasury and opposition members to maintain the dignity of the House. As Congress members stood firm in their protest, Birla briefly adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes.
When the House resumed, Speaker Om Birla rebuked opposition members for questioning the Chair’s authority. Following this, Sambit Patra stated that if his remarks had offended Rahul Gandhi or any other member, he had no objection to withdrawing them.