NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha on Thursday witnessed a fiery showdown after the leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi was cut short during his speech for targeting petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri over the alleged appearance of his name in the Epstein files.While speaking on the energy crisis due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, Rahul questioned why New Delhi would allow any external power to influence its energy relationships, particularly regarding purchases from Russia.

“The foundation of every single nation is its energy security. Allowing the United States to decide who we buy oil from, who we buy gas from, and whether we can buy oil from Russia or not,” Rahul said.“Our relationship with different oil suppliers can be decided by us. This is what has been bartered. Why would a nation the size of India allow any other nation, the President of another nation, to give us permission to buy Russian oil or to decide who our relationships are with,” he added.During his speech, Rahul also levelled allegations against Puri. Soon, Speaker Om Birla interjected and asked the LoP to stick to the issue on which he had served his notice.“I have a copy of the notice given by the Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi regarding the gas shortage in the country, and I allowed him to speak on that subject. However, despite being a responsible leader of the opposition, discussing other issues without notice is not within the procedures and rules of Parliament,” Birla said.“I am urging you again, and Parliament will not function this way. Parliament will function according to rules and procedures,” he added.Later in the day, Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju also criticised leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha saying he ignored special permission to speak on the LPG shortage and instead raised another issue.Rijiju also accused him of creating a ruckus in the House, disrupting proceedings while Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri was giving a statement.During a press conference, Rijiju said, “Special permission was granted to Mr Rahul Gandhi. As soon as he was allowed to speak, he didn’t speak on LPG, but instead began speaking on global issues…He did not speak on the subject.”“When Union minister for petroleum and natural gas, Hardeep Singh Puri was giving a statement, Rahul Gandhi again sent all his MPs to the well. They again tore the paper and threw it away and created a ruckus and the House had to be adjourned,” he said.This comes days after the opposition accused the Chair of denying speaking time to Rahul in the first part of the Budget session.This led the opposition to move a no-confidence motion against Birla. The move was, however, defeated by a voice vote amid protests and sloganeering by opposition members.‘No one above rules in Lok Sabha’Earlier in the day, addressing the House after the resolution seeking his removal was defeated through a voice vote amid loud sloganeering by opposition members, Birla said the discussion allowed members from across parties to present their concerns.“In the parliamentary history of independent India, this is the third time that the House has discussed a no-confidence motion against the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Over the past two days, honourable members have held extensive discussions so that the views, arguments and concerns of all members could be presented before the House,” Birla said.He noted that the Lok Sabha reflects the democratic will of the country’s citizens and that members come to the House with the responsibility of representing public concerns.“This House represents the sovereign will of 1.4 billion citizens of India. Every member present here comes with the mandate of lakhs of citizens and carries the hope of addressing their problems, deprivations and difficulties, as well as fulfilling their aspirations and expectations,” the Speaker said.“I have tried to provide adequate opportunities to all members for this purpose. This august House gave me the responsibility and opportunity to serve as Speaker for a second time. I have always tried to conduct the proceedings of the House with impartiality, discipline, balance and in accordance with the rules. Along with all members, I have tried to maintain order, harmony and efficiency in the functioning of the House while fulfilling my responsibilities,” he added.