Lok Sabha Budget Session Resumes Amid Opposition U-Turn and Criticism of Government's Handling of Iran-Israel War

The second part of the budget session in the Lok Sabha began on Monday, with the opposition abruptly abandoning a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The opposition alliance, INDIA, had earlier given a notice in February accusing Birla of partisan behaviour, but has now changed tack due to lack of numbers. However, the Trinamool Congress has announced its support for the no-confidence motion against Birla. Sources said the TMC will support the motion to remove the Lok Sabha speaker from his post. It will also vote against Birla. The opposition on Monday began to corner the central government on the impact of the Iran-Israel war. Opposition MPs shouted slogans and displayed placards that read Middle East is burning, Indians are stranded, not oil. They accused Prime Minister Modi of bowing to US President Donald Trump. Rahul Gandhi said after the Lok Sabha was adjourned that India's war in West Asia has already caused huge damage to its economy. Indian citizens in Iran are demanding a discussion on the issue of oil prices. They demanded that the issue should be discussed in public.