Parliamentary Firestorm: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Launches Substantive Motion to Boot Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha, Demands Lifetime Poll Ban
By State Correspondents | February 12, 2026
Image: Parliamentary Firestorm: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Launches Substantive Motion to Boot Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha, Demands Lifetime Poll Ban.
Unprecedented Move Shakes Budget Session
In a dramatic turn during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Godda, Jharkhand, Nishikant Dubey, has formally submitted a substantive motion in the Lok Sabha against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi. This bold step, announced on Thursday, February 12, 2026, calls for the immediate termination of Gandhi’s membership in the Lower House and imposes a lifelong prohibition on his eligibility to contest future elections. Dubey, known for his fiery rhetoric, labeled Gandhi as a key player in efforts to undermine India’s stability from within, drawing sharp lines in the sand of Indian politics.
The motion arrives at a fever pitch in parliamentary proceedings, where accusations and counter-accusations have dominated discussions. Dubey contends that Gandhi’s recent interventions, particularly those referencing an unpublished manuscript by former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, amount to deliberate misinformation aimed at tarnishing the armed forces and the Prime Minister’s office. This comes hot on the heels of Gandhi’s critique of the interim India-US trade agreement, which he portrayed as a sell-out compromising farmers, textiles, and energy sovereignty.
Core Allegations: Misleading Nation and Foreign Links
Dubey’s detailed notice paints a picture of systematic subversion. He accuses Gandhi of fabricating claims from Naravane’s pending book to defame the Ministry of Defence and imply Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s evasion of duty during the 2020 Ladakh standoff with China. “Rahul Gandhi is misleading the country with support from anti-India elements,” Dubey stated to reporters outside Parliament, specifically naming billionaire investor George Soros as part of a network allegedly backing such narratives. The MP demands a House committee probe into these “continual misdeeds,” arguing they pose a direct threat to national integrity.
Further, Dubey links Gandhi’s outbursts to broader patterns, including past controversies over defence deals and economic policies. He questions the sourcing of sensitive, unpublished material and funding behind Gandhi’s campaigns, urging the Speaker to admit the motion for debate and vote. If passed—given the NDA’s majority—it could echo Gandhi’s 2023 disqualification from a defamation case, reinstated later by courts, but this time with calls for permanent barring.
Opposition’s Fiery Retort
Congress leaders wasted no time in rebuttal. Rahul Gandhi dismissed the motion as a “code word” orchestrated by BJP to stifle dissent, urging media to maintain objectivity. AICC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted perceived biases in parliamentary records, where opposition speeches face expunction while government remarks persist. “This is not democracy; it’s a one-sided show,” Ramesh remarked, signaling potential counter-motions or privilege notices against the Speaker.
Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury defended Gandhi, questioning Dubey’s motives as politically motivated vendetta rather than substantive grievance. The party views this as desperation amid public scrutiny of government policies, vowing to fight in the House and courts if needed.
Procedural Intricacies and Precedents
A substantive motion, unlike routine adjournment proposals, triggers mandatory discussion and voting if Speaker-approved. Legal experts note its rarity and potency, potentially leading to expulsion by simple majority. Former Lok Sabha Secretary-General P.D.T. Achary flagged procedural ambiguities, as Dubey didn’t specify the exact rule, but precedents like opposition no-confidence motions against the Chair exist—though rarely successful.
This unfolds against Budget Session chaos, including Bharat Bandh impacts and school bomb hoaxes. With NDA’s numerical edge, the motion’s fate hinges on Speaker Om Birla’s decision, possibly escalating to privilege committees.
Broader Political Ripples
The clash underscores deepening polarization. BJP portrays it as accountability for “thuggery” against institutions; Congress sees suppression of voice. Analysts predict prolonged disruptions, affecting key bills on trade, defence, and labour reforms. Regional outfits like those in Punjab and J&K watch closely, as similar rhetoric fuels local debates on security and federalism—aligning with your portal’s focus on J&K affairs.
For state correspondents, this story amplifies national echoes in regional politics, where Congress-BJP frays mirror local assembly tensions. Stay tuned for Speaker’s ruling and House reactions.
