On February 5, 2026, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla alleging serious procedural irregularities. He questioned the authenticity of how the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address was passed without the Prime Minister’s usual reply. Mr. Venugopal said that under Rule 20, the Prime Minister must explain the government’s position after the debate. If unable, the House must be informed. "In the present case, neither did the Hon’ble Prime Minister reply to the debate nor was the House informed about his inability to do so. This clearly amounts to a violation of provisions of Rule 20," he wrote. He also cited Rule 362, which allows closing a debate without a Minister’s reply only if a member moves a motion and the House approves it. No such motion was moved before voting on the Motion of Thanks around noon. "This action, therefore, constitutes a violation of Rule 362," he added. Mr. Venugopal said MPs were "confused and pained" by this break from established rules. He requested a detailed explanation from the Speaker on the procedure followed. Calling the Speaker the "custodian of the Rules of the House," he stressed that proceedings must follow rules framed under Article 118 of the Constitution. He also mentioned Article 105, guaranteeing MPs freedom of speech, and called it the Speaker’s "sacred duty" to protect this right.