New Delhi, March 24 – The government is planning to request a break in the ongoing parliamentary session this week, following requests from members, including many from the opposition, who wish to focus on the upcoming state assembly elections and union territory elections next month, an official source said on Tuesday.
The session, the seventh of the 18th Lok Sabha, began on March 9 and was originally scheduled to conclude on April 2, focusing on detailed financial business and the passage of the Finance Bill.
However, government sources said that there could be a slight change in the plan. “After a brief recess, the parliament may be called again after the elections to complete the remaining business,” a government official said.
Once the results of the assembly elections in the five states/union territories are declared on May 4, the parliament can be called again for a few days, he said.
The first part of the Budget Session began on January 28 and continued until February 13. During this phase, discussions took place on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address and the Union Budget for 2026-27.
During the first leg of the Budget Session last month, the opposition submitted a no-confidence motion to the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla.
In the motion, they accused Birla of acting in a partisan manner. It was signed by 118 MPs, including members from the Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, Left, and others, except the Trinamool Congress.
The motion was moved on March 9 and defeated by voice vote on March 11, after two days of intense debate.
The ongoing session also saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak on the West Asia conflict in both Houses.
On Tuesday, PM Modi said in the Rajya Sabha that as the West Asia conflict continues to escalate, it is essential that a "united voice of peace and dialogue" emanates from the Indian Parliament to the entire world.
He said that India’s aim is to restore peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy.
“We are all aware of the West Asia conflict... This conflict has been ongoing for over three years. This has led to a global energy crisis. For India, too, this situation is concerning. Due to this war, our trade routes are being affected, and hence, the supply of essential commodities like petrol, diesel, gas and fertilisers is also being affected,” he said.
“Around one crore Indians currently reside in Gulf nations and work there. Their safety is also a matter of concern for India. Several ships with a significant number of Indian crew members are stuck in the Strait of Hormuz; this is also very concerning for India. In these critical circumstances, it is essential that a united voice of peace and dialogue emanates from this Upper House of the Indian Parliament to the entire world,” PM Modi said.