The Lok Sabha Secretariat is likely to take up the discussion on the Opposition’s motion seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla on March 9, the first day of the second phase of Parliament’s Budget Session, according to news agency ANI sources.
The move comes a day after the Congress formally submitted a notice of no-confidence against the Speaker, accusing him of partisan conduct and curbing Opposition voices in the House. The notice, submitted on Tuesday afternoon, carries the signatures of 118 Members of Parliament, Congress sources said.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday confirmed the submission of the motion, saying, “At 1:14 pm today, we submitted a motion for a no-confidence motion against the Speaker under rule 94C rules and procedures.”
Why the Opposition moved the no-confidence motion
According to reports, Opposition parties have cited what they describe as “blatantly partisan” conduct by the Speaker, alleging that leaders from non-ruling parties were repeatedly denied the opportunity to speak during key debates in the Lok Sabha.
The notice reportedly flags four separate instances. Among them is the Opposition’s claim that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to speak during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. Gandhi had sought to refer to former Army chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir while raising the issue of the 2020 military standoff with China.
Other incidents cited by Opposition MPs
Sources said the motion also mentions the suspension of eight MPs and objects to what it describes as “objectionable and personalised attacks” made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against former prime ministers during House proceedings.
Another point cited in the notice relates to a statement made by Speaker Om Birla, in which he said he had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to come to the House to avoid any unpleasant situation. According to sources, the Speaker had claimed to have received information suggesting that some Congress MPs might approach the Prime Minister’s seat and “resort to an unprecedented incident.”
TMC urges caution, links support to Speaker’s response
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has asked the Congress to first submit a formal appeal to the Speaker before pushing ahead with the no-confidence motion.
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said on Tuesday that his party would consider signing the motion only if the Speaker fails to act on the Opposition’s appeal within two to three days.
The development adds another layer of political tension ahead of the second leg of the Budget Session.
