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The impasse persists over the Opposition’s call for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and its demand for a discussion on the NEET-UG paper leak under a specific parliamentary rule. The government expressed readiness for debate but requested that the Opposition refrain from imposing new conditions.

The Rajya Sabha experienced multiple adjournments during the standoff before being adjourned for the day.

When the House reconvened at 2 pm following an earlier adjournment, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asserted, “If there has to be a fair discussion, the Education Minister should resign first. Until he resigns, there won’t be a fair discussion here.”

Opposition members including DMK’s Tiruchi Siva sought a discussion under Rule 267, which involves suspending specific rules to the listed business of the Rajya Sabha.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju countered that the Opposition was imposing new conditions despite the government’s readiness to debate.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders criticized the suspension of party leader Kalyan Banerjee from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon Session, calling the action “out of order.”

In response, Kalyan Banerjee denounced rebel MPs who had joined the NCPI, stating they lack support in West Bengal. He said, “What will they get by suspending me from here?… It is a party of barely twenty people. They (20 TMC rebel MPs) held a meeting in Kolkata after a month and a half. They do not even have twenty voters. They have nothing. Not a single person has voted for them in West Bengal…They are all traitors and dishonest people…The government will fall after a year.”

The Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced on Monday. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla authorized a separate seating arrangement for the 20 MPs who broke away from the TMC, though their merger with the NCPI has yet to receive his approval.