Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

New Delhi, Marc heated confrontation erupted in the Lok Sabha on Thursday after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi raised concerns over a potential energy crisis and the impact of global geopolitical tensions on India’s oil supply. His remarks triggered sharp exchanges between the government and opposition benches, turning the House into a battleground of accusations and counter-accusations.


Addressing the House, Rahul Gandhi warned that the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the possible involvement of the United States, Israel and Iran could have far-reaching implications for India’s energy security. Referring specifically to the Strait of Hormuz, he stated that any disruption in the region could seriously affect India’s oil and gas imports.


He further alleged that India’s oil procurement policy was increasingly being influenced by the United States. According to him, India must retain the sovereign right to decide whether it purchases crude oil from Russia or any other country, based solely on national interest.


Treasury Benches Hit Back
The remarks drew strong objections from several ministers and MPs from the ruling side. Union ministers Kiren Rijiju, Piyush Goyal, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Pralhad Joshi rejected the allegations as baseless and defended the government’s energy strategy.


Intervening in the debate, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reminded Rahul Gandhi that he had been permitted to speak specifically on the LPG issue and should refrain from introducing unrelated matters. However, as tempers rose, opposition MPs entered the well of the House and began raising slogans.


Government’s Response
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri responded on behalf of the government, asserting that India’s energy policy is guided entirely by national interest and pragmatic requirements. He dismissed the opposition’s allegations as politically motivated.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, accusing Rahul Gandhi of spreading “propaganda” and raising questions about alleged foreign funding linked to the Bharat Jodo Yatra.


House Adjourned Amid Uproar
With protests and slogan-shouting intensifying, Speaker Om Birla was eventually forced to adjourn the proceedings for a brief period. The confrontation between the treasury benches and the opposition continued even after the adjournment, reflecting deep political divisions over the issue.
Political observers believe that concerns related to energy security, global geopolitics and domestic inflation are likely to remain key points of debate in Parliament and the broader political arena in the coming days.