New Delhi: A group of Opposition members in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday introduced a resolution seeking a no confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla, setting the stage for a heated debate in the House over allegations of partisan conduct.
Reports indicate that 118 Opposition MPs have signed the motion, accusing the Speaker of favouring the ruling side during parliamentary proceedings. The move follows an incident in which Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was allegedly not allowed to speak in the House, prompting sharp criticism from Opposition parties.
As discussions began, Congress leader K. C. Venugopal raised concerns over the absence of a Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha for several years. He argued that the delay in filling the post had created a constitutional vacuum and stressed that the House should elect a member to preside over proceedings during the debate on the motion.
Presiding over the session, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal informed members that ten hours had been allotted for the debate on the resolution. He urged MPs to keep their remarks focused strictly on the subject of the motion and adhere to the time limits during the discussion.
Pal also noted that the Speaker had allowed the Opposition to bring the resolution and had facilitated the procedural requirements for the debate.
During the discussion, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad rejected the accusations made by the Opposition, describing the objections as baseless.
From the government’s side, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is expected to begin the discussion, with several BJP MPs including Anurag Thakur, Nishikant Dubey, and Bhartruhari Mahtab likely to participate.
On the Opposition benches, Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Manish Tewari, Deepender Singh Hooda, and Jothimani are expected to present arguments supporting the resolution.
The motion comes during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, which began on January 28. The first phase concluded on February 13, while the second phase of the session is scheduled to continue until April 2.
