Rajya Sabha Passes Motion of Thanks Amid Opposition Walkout

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Rajya Sabha adopted a Motion of Thanks to President Droupadi Murmu for her address to the Joint Session of Parliament. The motion was approved after amendments proposed by Opposition members were defeated in a voice vote, following the walkout of Opposition parties during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to the debate.

The proceedings were characterized by sharp exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches, particularly regarding the India–United States bilateral trade deal. Earlier in the day, members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) addressed concerns raised by Opposition MPs, asserting that the proposed trade agreement was in the national interest.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned the transparency of the trade negotiations, claiming that even External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar appeared to be unaware of specific details. Referring to comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, she noted that agriculture and dairy products were reportedly included in the deal and sought clarification from the government on its implications for Indian farmers.

In response to concerns related to the agricultural sector, BJP MP Maya Naroliya highlighted the government’s initiatives to support farmers. She noted that budgetary allocations for agriculture had increased under the Modi government, enabling the modernization of farming practices. Citing the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, she mentioned that approximately ₹4 lakh crore had been directly transferred to farmers. She also pointed out that India has become the world’s largest rice producer, reflecting growth in agricultural output.

BJP MP Mahendra Bhatt echoed similar sentiments, stating that schemes like PM-KISAN had bolstered farmers’ confidence and underscored the importance of agriculture in India’s economy. He emphasized the role of farmers in ensuring food security and stressed that sustained support was crucial to prevent agrarian distress.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak raised concerns about the proposed special intensive revision of the voters’ list. While clarifying that his party was not opposed to the exercise, he argued that such a revision should be implemented gradually over an extended period to ensure accuracy and effectiveness. He questioned the feasibility of completing the process within a short timeframe.

Despite the disruptions and the walkout, the House proceeded to pass the Motion of Thanks, bringing the debate to a close amid ongoing political differences.