A fresh political controversy has erupted after Congress MP K C Venugopal filed a privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over remarks made during his address to the nation.
New Delhi: Congress leader K. C. Venugopal has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, submitting a privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The notice alleges that the Prime Minister cast aspersions on Members of Parliament during his recent televised address. The move comes shortly after the defeat of a key constitutional amendment bill in the Lok Sabha.
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In his notice, Venugopal claimed that the Prime Minister’s remarks during the address to the nation amounted to a breach of parliamentary privilege. The complaint centres on allegations that the speech included criticism directed at MPs in a manner considered inappropriate for such a platform.
A privilege notice is a formal mechanism used by lawmakers to raise concerns over actions seen as violating the rights or dignity of Parliament and its members.
Congress criticises tone of PM’s address
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also criticised the Prime Minister’s speech, calling it partisan.
“My senior colleague in the Lok Sabha, KC Venugopal, has issued a notice of question of privilege against the Prime Minister for his so-called address to the nation following the defeat of his nefarious designs in the Lok Sabha by something he did not expect—absolute Opposition unity and solidarity,” Ramesh said.
He further added, “A sitting PM’s address to the nation has always been reserved for the overriding purpose of national unity and confidence-building. The Prime Minister’s unabashed partisan demagoguery during this address – with 59 different attacks on the Congress party – will be yet another permanent stain on his record as Prime Minister.”
Context: Bill defeat triggers political clash
The controversy follows the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha. The proposed legislation aimed to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies and was also linked to a delimitation exercise.
After the bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority, political tensions escalated, with the Prime Minister criticising Opposition parties in his address to the nation.
The privilege notice highlights growing friction between the government and the Opposition. Congress leaders have framed the issue as a matter of parliamentary decorum and democratic norms, while the government has defended its position following the bill’s defeat.
The Lok Sabha Speaker will now decide on the admissibility of the notice and whether further action is warranted.
(With PTI inputs)
Published: 21 Apr 2026, 03:23 pm IST
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