However, not all political figures had a smooth sail. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi faced a setback as he was deemed ineligible for the Lok Sabha, leading to a legal battle in the Supreme Court to salvage his political standing.
Here are the top 10 incidents that have left an indelible mark on India’s political canvas in 2023:
Record-breaking MP suspensions
The Winter Session of Parliament witnessed the suspension of a record-breaking 146 MPs, marking the highest tally in parliamentary history. In addition to this, the lower house of Parliament also expelled Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra after the Parliament Ethics Committee recommended her expulsion for “unethical conduct” of sharing her official login credentials with a businessman and “for accepting illegal gratification”.
Lok Sabha security breach
The Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted on December 14 when two men entered the Lower House premises with smoke canisters. Two intruderes from inside the Parliament and two from outside were arrested by police concerning the security lapse.
AgenciesBJP’s Hat trick before Lok Sabha poll
As the saffron party strategise for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the assembly polls were a trial run that went as per BJP’s plans. The party is now in power in 12 states on its own including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. Apart from this, the BJP is also part of the ruling coalition in four states – Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Sikkim.
PTIIndia vs Bharat squabble
The renaming of India to Bharat gained momentum when Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September opened the G20 summit sitting behind a nameplate that read “Bharat” instead of India. The debate over the government’s move to change the country’s name to Bharat was triggered by the President’s invite to the G20 dinner which referred to her as the president of “Bharat.” The government also used “Bharat” in several G20 documents. The opposition parties claimed that PM Narendra Modi had started using Bharat in his speeches ever since the opposition announced their INDIA alliance.
AgenciesA rollercoaster year for Rahul Gandhi
Former Congress president and Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from the house after a local court convicted him in a defamation case related to PM Modi. The 53-year-old Congress leader was sentenced to two years in jail in the ‘Modi surname defamation case’. Later, in August, India’s top court stayed the sentence awarded to Gandhi saying, “not only was Gandhi’s right to continue in public life affected but also that of the electorate who elected him.” After the court order, the Congress leader again returned to Lok Sabha.
PTIThe formation of INDIA alliance
In July, 26 opposition parties came together and named an alliance — INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) — to pose a challenge to the saffron party’s NDA alliance in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, internal strife has raised questions about its longevity.
PTIPM Modi inaugurates new Parliament building
PM Modi on May 28 this year inaugurated the new Parliament building, seeking blessings from high priests of various ‘adheenams’ in Tamil Nadu with the holy scepter in hand. He also installed the historic Sengol in the Lok Sabha chamber. Nineteen opposition parties, including the Congress, Left, TMC, SP, and AAP boycotted the inauguration saying the “soul of democracy has been sucked out.”
PTICongress’ comeback in Karnataka
The Congress wrested Karnataka from the BJP with a convincing win earlier this year, securing a majority on its own with wins in 136 seats in a 224-seat assembly. The results bared a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the BJP government. About a dozen BJP ministers including heavyweights such as Govind Karjol, Murugesh Nirani and B Sriramulu lost.
The results further extended the trend that Karnataka has never voted back the incumbent government since 1989.
PTISetback for AAP
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia over alleged irregularities in the Delhi government’s now-scrapped liquor policy,, adding a legal twist to the political slugfest between the BJP and AAP in the national capital.
AgenciesWrestlers vs Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, BJP’s Kaiserganj MP, was accused of sexual harassment by the country’s top wrestlers. While, wrestling stars Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik staged a protest against Brij Bhushan, he constantly denied the allegations. Ultimately, after the intervention of the court, an FIR was registered in this matter and the players’ strike ended. Currently, the matter is still pending in the court.
PTI
