Lok Sabha on Tuesday took up an Opposition resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla, leading to sharp exchanges in the House. Congress MP Mohammad Jawed moved the motion, saying the Speaker must remain impartial and command the trust of all members. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said the Speaker should act independently. “The Speaker is not the voice of the government but the custodian of the rights of the entire House,” he said. Birla stepped aside from the Chair during the debate on “moral grounds”. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal presided over the discussion. Opposition members questioned how Pal was chosen to chair the debate. The House was later adjourned for lunch. (PC: The Indian Express)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to review LPG supply concerns after the Iran conflict disrupted energy routes. The crisis followed the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which most LPG shipments to India pass. Officials said households will get priority as domestic use makes up about 87% of total LPG demand. Commercial users such as hotels and restaurants are facing shortages. The government has also extended the LPG refill booking cycle to 25 days. Authorities said the steps aim to control hoarding and manage limited supplies. (PC: NDTV)

Opposition parties on Tuesday criticised the Centre after reports of LPG shortages in parts of India during the West Asia conflict. The government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to ensure domestic cooking gas supply and asked refineries to increase LPG production. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the Petroleum Ministry was “entirely responsible” for the shortage and pointed to rules requiring a 25-day gap before booking another cylinder in cities. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said the government earlier claimed it was ready for disruptions but now says “sorry we can’t help.” Hotel bodies in Bengaluru and Chennai warned restaurants may shut if commercial LPG supplies are not restored soon. (PC: HT)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denied claims that President Droupadi Murmu was insulted during her recent visit to the state. Banerjee said there was no breach of protocol at the President’s event near Siliguri. She blamed private organisers and the Airports Authority of India for the mismanagement. The controversy began after President Murmu expressed displeasure over a venue change for a Santal community conference. She also noted that the Chief Minister and ministers were absent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Trinamool Congress government and called the incident shameful. Banerjee responded that Bengal was being unfairly targeted ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. (PC: Hindustan Times)

A political row has intensified between the Centre and the West Bengal government after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Trinamool Congress of insulting President Droupadi Murmu. Responding to the charge, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee displayed a 2024 photograph showing the President standing while the Prime Minister was seated during a Bharat Ratna ceremony for LK Advani. “This is for you, specially for the Prime Minister. President is standing and PM is sitting,” Banerjee said at her protest site in Kolkata. She added, “We have full respect for the chair of the President and the Constitution of India.” The controversy began after Murmu flagged protocol lapses during her visit to a tribal event in north Bengal. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal for allegedly insulting President Droupadi Murmu. Speaking at a Women’s Day event, Modi said the country and “Nari Shakti” will not forgive the insult to the President. The controversy began after the venue of the 9th International Santhali Conclave was shifted to a smaller location near Bagdogra Airport. President Murmu said she was saddened that many people could not attend the event because of the change. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also absent from the programme. Banerjee later accused the BJP of using the President to attack the state government for political reasons. (PC: @NarendraModi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged protocol lapses during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to the state.   Murmu earlier said neither the Chief Minister nor any state minister received her at the airport. She also alleged that the venue of the International Santhal Conclave was changed at the last moment.   Calling the incident “shameful and unprecedented”, Modi said it had saddened people across the country.   “The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji… has caused immense sadness in the minds of the people of India,” he wrote on X.   Union Home Minister Amit Shah also attacked the state government and called the episode an insult to the President.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not speaking about the sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena. The ship was hit by a US submarine torpedo in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka during the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran. Gandhi said the incident shows the conflict has moved closer to India. “The conflict has reached our backyard, with an Iranian warship sunk in the Indian Ocean,” he wrote on X. He questioned why the prime minister had not commented on the issue. Gandhi said India needed “a steady hand at the wheel” at such a time. (PC: HT)

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday questioned the government’s silence over the West Asia conflict. He asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi supports “the assassination of a head of state”. Gandhi said rising tensions between the US, Israel and Iran were pushing the region towards wider conflict. “Crores of people, including nearly a crore Indians, face uncertainty,” he said. He said attacks that violate sovereignty must be condemned. “Violence begets violence. Dialogue and restraint remain the only path to peace,” he added. Gandhi said India “must be morally clear” and speak in defence of international law and human lives. (PC: The Indian Express)

Opposition parties attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not speaking publicly on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Congress leader Pawan Khera called it a “betrayal” of India’s values. Akhilesh Yadav and other leaders asked the government to clarify its stand. The MEA said India is deeply concerned and urged restraint and dialogue. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to leaders in the Gulf region. Protests were held in Delhi, Lucknow, Kashmir and Hyderabad. Shia groups observed mourning and raised slogans against the US and Israel. The Cabinet Committee on Security will meet tonight. (PC: PMO/ANI)