Rahul calls Jagdambika Pal ‘ex-Cong’, gets sharp reply: ‘You’re here because you ignored my advice’

New Delhi: A sharp verbal exchange took place in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after BJP leader Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the House in place of Speaker Om Birla, responded firmly to a personal remark made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during the Budget debate.

“I am here as a Presiding Officer,” Pal said. “If you are sitting there, it is because you did not take my advice earlier. I am advising you again — you still have time to move on the right track.”

His response came after Gandhi referred to Pal’s past association with the Congress, saying, “You are an ex-Congress party member, so I’ll do you a special favour today — I will back down. We like you, sir. We know your heart is not there, your heart is here.”

The light banter quickly turned into a serious moment as Pal reminded Gandhi of parliamentary decorum while chairing the session. Pal was presiding as Speaker Om Birla chose not to take the Chair until the Opposition’s notice seeking his removal is disposed of by the House.

The exchange took place amid Gandhi’s speech on the Union Budget 2026–27, where he strongly criticised the government’s economic and strategic policies.

Jagdambika Pal, who now represents the BJP, was earlier a senior Congress leader and MP before resigning from the party and joining the BJP in 2014, citing differences with the party leadership and lack of space for senior voices.