New Delhi: The opposition is seriously considering bringing a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Sources say that discussions on this issue have intensified among opposition parties and a strategy is being prepared. The atmosphere in Parliament has remained tense since the beginning of the budget session. Constant uproar was witnessed during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks after the President’s address, forcing the adjournment of House proceedings several times. The opposition alleges that the Speaker is adopting a biased attitude during the conduct of proceedings, and dissatisfaction regarding this is coming out openly.
Steps towards No-Confidence Motion
According to sources, opposition parties have started the process of bringing a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. It is being reported that before the Lok Sabha proceedings on Monday, several prominent opposition leaders gathered at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, where an important meeting was held regarding this issue and future strategy was discussed.
Clash between Ruling Party and Opposition
Tension between the ruling party and the opposition increased to such an extent during the budget session that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could not reply to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address. Amidst heavy uproar in the House, the opposition, especially Congress women MPs, protested near the Prime Minister’s seat, forcing him to stop his address midway.
Preparation to give notice to Lok Sabha Secretary General
In view of the continuous uproar by the opposition during the budget session, the Lok Sabha Speaker appealed several times to maintain order in the House, but despite this, proceedings continued to be disrupted repeatedly. When the situation deteriorated, eight opposition MPs were suspended on charges of disrupting the proceedings of the House. On the other hand, the opposition says that the Speaker gives priority to the ruling party in the conduct of the House and the opposition does not get a full opportunity to present its views. According to sources, most opposition parties have agreed to bring a no-confidence motion against the Speaker and a formal notice in this regard may soon be handed over to the Lok Sabha Secretary General.
According to sources, the opposition is adamant on the demand to give Rahul Gandhi an opportunity to speak in the Lok Sabha. During the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, Rahul Gandhi had raised the issue of the standoff with China in Ladakh, citing the yet-to-be-published book of former Army Chief MM Naravane. Objection was raised by the Chair on this, stating that reading excerpts from an unpublished book is not in accordance with parliamentary decorum. After this, the uproar in the House intensified. Demands to let Rahul Gandhi speak continued to be raised by the opposition. Along with this, the opposition is also demanding the revocation of the suspension of the eight suspended MPs, who were suspended on charges of obstructing proceedings.
