Opposition MPs create ruckus in the Rajya Sabha during the budget session in New Delhi on March 10, 2026. Photo: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab
Opposition parties staged a strike in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) after Speaker CP Radhakrishnan rejected their demand for a fresh debate on the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
The confrontation began when Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien tried to raise a point of order, urging a debate on the SIR exercise. Mr. Radhakrishnan rejected the request, saying that sufficient time had already been given during the winter discussions on electoral reforms.
10 March 2026 Parliament Budget Session Update
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge supported Mr O’Brien’s demand, calling it “very important”. When the opposition members raised slogans. Mr. Radhakrishnan’s repeated pleas to restore order had little effect on the protesting members and they decided to walk out.
After the strike, Speaker of the House JP Nadda accused the opposition of avoiding substantive debate. He said there were extensive discussions on electoral reforms, including SIR, lasting 15 to 16 hours, but the opposition left without hearing the government’s response to the debate. He repeated the accusations he made on Monday, accusing the opposition of undermining democratic norms and “causing anarchy”.
The row continued into Question Hour, during which TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray used a short preface to question the Centre’s “coercive measures” in West Bengal under the SIR. He pointed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s five-day dharna and said it underscored the threat to fundamental rights of millions of people. Mr. Ray urged the Center to send its representatives to investigate why only West Bengal was being subjected to such measures.
Responding to his allegations, Mr. Nadda accused the West Bengal government of ignoring rules and regulations. “One chief minister disrespected the lady president of India,” said Mr. Nadda.
Published – 10 March 2026 22:21 IST
