The budget session on February 10, 2026, witnessed high-voltage political drama as the opposition moved a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Signed by 118 opposition MPs, the notice accused the Speaker of abusing his constitutional position by making biased remarks against opposition members. Notably, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) refrained from signing the motion, highlighting internal crevices within the alliance even as they collectively targeted the government on the Union Budget 2026-27.

Leading the charge for the Congress, Dr. Shashi Tharoor utilized Mirza Ghalib’s poetry to mock the government’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat.’ He argued that the budget ignores critical issues like inflation, wealth inequality, and the burgeoning unemployment crisis. “The budget feels like rearranging airbags in a car to make passengers feel safe while ignoring the engine failure,” Tharoor remarked. Conversely, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi defended the budget as a “decisive milestone,” asserting that India is emerging as a trustworthy destination for global investors.

The debate extended to international trade, with SP President Akhilesh Yadav questioning the delay in the US-India trade deal, calling it a “slack” (dheel) rather than a “deal.” Meanwhile, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP’s consecutive electoral defeats in West Bengal and criticized the government for taxing everything from “birth to cremation.” In the Rajya Sabha, the focus shifted to social justice reports and the regulation of online gaming, while Health Minister J.P. Nadda highlighted the success of the U-Win portal for universal vaccination. The day’s proceedings underscored a deeply polarized Parliament, struggling to find common ground on the nation’s economic future.