The Congress party has moved a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing him of repeatedly silencing opposition voices during key parliamentary debates. The move has further intensified tensions in the Lower House, already marked by frequent disruptions and sharp political confrontations.
Notice Submitted With 118 MPs’ Signatures
The notice, submitted to the Lok Sabha Secretary General under Rule 94C, carries the signatures of 118 Members of Parliament. Notably, it does not include the signature of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Party sources clarified that parliamentary convention discourages the LoP from signing a petition seeking the removal of the presiding officer.
Rare Step in Parliamentary History
This is only the third instance in India’s parliamentary history where a Speaker has faced an attempt at removal. Earlier efforts against G.V. Mavalankar in 1954 and Hukam Singh in 1966 failed due to procedural hurdles or insufficient support, while a motion against Balram Jakhar in 1987 was rejected outright.
Under Article 94 of the Constitution, a Speaker can be removed only by a majority vote of the House after a minimum 14-day notice period.
Trigger: President’s Address Debate
The motion follows heated exchanges during the discussion on the President’s address. Opposition leaders allege that Speaker Birla unfairly prevented Rahul Gandhi from speaking, while allowing extended time to members of the ruling party. The Congress has also raised concerns over what it describes as discriminatory treatment toward its women MPs.
Opposition Unity on Display
Ahead of the move, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge convened a strategy meeting with senior leaders. Several opposition parties—including the Trinamool Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction)—extended their support, signaling rare coordination among opposition ranks.
Government Dismisses Motion as Futile
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed the no-confidence motion as “pointless,” asserting that the opposition lacks the numbers required for success. He accused opposition MPs of undermining the dignity of the Speaker’s chair through disruptive conduct, including climbing onto officials’ tables, though he stopped short of calling for punitive action.
A House Deeply Divided
As Parliament continues to witness sharp confrontations, the motion underscores widening political divisions. While the government maintains that the Speaker has acted impartially, the opposition insists it will continue to push for what it calls fair and democratic proceedings in the House.