Opposition MPs staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha on Monday as the second part of the Budget session commenced, protesting the issues of delimitation and the New Education Policy (NEP). The DMK led the charge against the government’s implementation of NEP in Tamil Nadu.
In the Lok Sabha, MPs gathered in the well of the House, protesting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s comments, where he accused the DMK of being “dishonest” and prioritizing political agendas over the future of Tamil Nadu students.
DMK MP P Wilson explained that the party walked out from the Rajya Sabha after Deputy Chairman Harivansh refused to allow a discussion on fair delimitation for Tamil Nadu. “The DMK floor leader Tiruchi Siva and I submitted a notice under Rule 267 to discuss fair delimitation for Tamil Nadu. This is critical, as the state has seen minimal population growth due to family planning policies. There is growing concern about impending delimitation changes set to take effect in 2026,” Wilson said.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda criticized the opposition’s tactics, accusing them of attempting to give the false impression that the government was avoiding debate. Nadda dismissed the opposition’s actions as part of a “vicious design” to undermine the parliamentary process. He urged opposition members to understand parliamentary rules, calling their behavior “irresponsible.”
Tiruchi Siva, addressing the delimitation issue, expressed concern that if the exercise is based purely on population, southern states like Tamil Nadu could lose seats in Parliament. “If delimitation is done based on population, Tamil Nadu and other states will lose many seats… Tamil Nadu will drop from 39 to 31, Kerala from 20 to 12. Some northern states will gain 30-40 more seats, leading to unfair representation,” he warned.
Siva emphasized that the government must find a solution that ensures the southern states are not adversely affected by the 2026 delimitation. “The birth control process has not been equal across the north and south,” he said, urging the government to evolve an alternative approach to protect the interests of southern states.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma accused the opposition of routinely obstructing parliamentary proceedings, leaving critical issues unaddressed. “The opposition always obstructs the House and important issues are left behind,” she said, hinting at similar disruptions in the current session.
BJP MP Dinesh Sharma also hit out at the opposition, urging for healthy discussions rather than disruptions. “The opposition should engage in a constructive debate, but they are ready to create an uproar,” he said.
The second part of the Budget session will continue until April 4, with MPs raising concerns on several issues, including security matters in Manipur and Jammu, underfunded railway projects in Tamil Nadu, and the impending delimitation exercise.
