Priyanka Gandhi chai pe charcha: On Friday, with the conclusion of the Winter Session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met with leaders of the Lower House in his Chamber at Parliament House. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a Congress leader, was seen seated beside Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while enjoying a cup of tea. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present at the meeting.
On Thursday, Priyanka requested a meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to address highway concerns in her Wayanad constituency during the Lok Sabha's Question Hour. During their discussion, Gadkari offered a dish he had personally prepared: rice balls with chutney, and he urged Priyanka and her party associate Deepender Singh Hooda to taste it.
Following protests from the Opposition regarding the approval of the VB-G Ram G Bill, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the Lok Sabha indefinitely on Friday after Vande Mataram was played in the chamber.
Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, also adjourned the Upper House shortly after it reconvened at 11 am on Friday. Before the adjournment, various statements and reports were presented in the House.
Upon adjourning the Rajya Sabha sine die, Radhakrishnan remarked, "The behavior of members during the Minister's response yesterday, which involved protesting and tearing papers, was inappropriate for the House, and he hopes they will reconsider their actions. "The Chairman remarked that the session was highly productive and expressed optimism for more successful discussions in future sessions.
At the same time, the Opposition persisted in its outspoken objection to the approval of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill.
On Friday, a cohesive Opposition organized a protest outside Parliament, as Trinamool Congress members persisted with their demonstration on the steps leading to the House entrance.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, currently in Germany, has added his voice to the criticism of the Bill, describing it as inherently 'anti-state' and 'anti-village.' He mentioned that the previous scheme had empowered rural workers and bolstered rural livelihoods.
On December 18, during the second-to-last day of the Winter Session 2025, Parliament approved the VB-G RAM G Bill, with the Rajya Sabha passing the legislation following its approval by the Lok Sabha. The Bill ensures 125 days of wage employment per rural household, an increase from the current 100 days, for adult members ready to perform unskilled manual labor.