Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday responded swiftly to a no-confidence motion moved against him by Opposition parties, directing the Lower House secretariat to examine the notice and expedite the process.
The motion, backed by 118 Opposition MPs, was submitted to Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh earlier in the day.
Details of the No-Confidence Motion
The notice was formally moved by Congress leaders K Suresh, Gaurav Gogoi, and Md Javed under Article 94(c) of the Constitution, which provides for the removal of the Speaker through a resolution of the House.
According to the text of the motion accessed by Hindustan Times, the Opposition has accused the Speaker of conducting proceedings in a “blatantly partisan manner”, alleging repeated denial of opportunities for Opposition members to raise issues and participate meaningfully in debates.
Speaker’s Prompt Response
Within an hour of the notice being submitted, Om Birla issued a written response, instructing the Lok Sabha secretariat:
“To examine the no-confidence notice and expedite the process.”
The response marks the Speaker’s first official reaction to the resolution amid escalating tensions during the ongoing Budget session of Parliament.
Opposition Flags Recent Parliamentary Incidents
The notice refers to several recent developments, including:
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Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to complete his speech during the Motion of Thanks debate
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The suspension of eight Opposition MPs
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Alleged repeated denial of speaking opportunities to Opposition leaders
Opposition parties have argued that such actions amount to a denial of basic democratic rights and undermine parliamentary conventions.
Parliamentary Deadlock Continues
The Lok Sabha has witnessed sustained disruptions during the Budget session, with proceedings repeatedly adjourned amid protests and counter-allegations.
In an attempt to break the impasse, Om Birla previously held meetings with senior leaders from both sides of the aisle, including:
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Rahul Gandhi (Congress)
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Abhishek Banerjee (Trinamool Congress)
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Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party)
During these discussions, Opposition leaders reiterated demands such as:
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Allowing the Leader of the Opposition to speak in the House
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Reconsidering the suspension of eight MPs
Earlier, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal had indicated possible action against the Speaker, accusing the Chair of sidelining the Opposition and preventing debate on key national issues.
What Happens Next
The Lok Sabha secretariat will now examine the notice to determine whether it meets procedural requirements under parliamentary rules. The move adds a new dimension to the ongoing standoff between the government and the Opposition during the Budget session.
