Budget Session: Rahul Gandhi To Be First Opposition Leader To Debate On Motion Of Thanks In Lok Sabha

Budget 2022: Rajya Sabha is likely to discuss Motion of Thanks on President Ram Nath Kovind's address for 12 hours, Union Budget for over 11 hours.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (File photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi will be leading the debate from the opposition benches on the Motion of Thanks on President Ram Nath Kovind's address on Wednesday, news agency PTI reported sources as saying.

He will be the first opposition leader to reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address in Lok Sabha.

"Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be the first speaker in the discussion on motion of thanks to the President's address tomorrow," a senior Congress leader said, as reported by PTI.

Rajya Sabha will debate on the motion of thanks at the president's address for 12 hours and the prime minister is likely to reply on February 8. 

President Kovind in his 50-minute address to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session on Monday said, his government's policies have given top priority to the poor and marginalised sections of the society.

The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of Rajya Sabha headed by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu in its meeting held on Tuesday allocated time for the discussions on the Motion of Thanks and the Union Budget 2022-23, news agency ANI reported sources as saying.

The Congress leader is also likely to raise the issues of Pegasus, China, and LAC during the debate as the party is up against the alleged snooping by the government.

The Union Budget presented today by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is likely to be debated for over 11 hours by the members of Rajya Sabha. 

Meanwhile, Ministers of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi informed the BAC that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will reply to the debate on February 11.