New Delhi (IANS): In a significant escalation of parliamentary tensions, Opposition parties moved a formal no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday. The motion, signed by 118 Members of Parliament, accuses the Speaker of “partisan conduct” and failing to act as a neutral custodian of the House.
Constitutional Challenge Initiated
Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi submitted the notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General’s office. The motion invokes Article 94(c) of the Constitution of India and Rule 94(c) of the Rules of Procedure, which provide the framework for the removal of a Speaker.
The Opposition claims that the functioning of the House has become “blatantly partisan,” specifically alleging that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders are being systematically denied their right to speak.
Key Allegations in the Notice
The motion outlines a series of specific grievances from the ongoing session:
- Obstruction of Speech: On February 2, the Opposition alleges Rahul Gandhi was prevented from completing his speech during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
- Arbitrary Suspensions: The notice describes the February 3 suspension of eight Opposition MPs for the remainder of the Budget Session as an “arbitrary” move that penalizes members for exercising democratic rights.
- Failure to Reprimand Treasury Benches: The motion cites an incident on February 4 where a BJP MP allegedly made “objectionable and personalized attacks” on two former Prime Ministers. The Opposition claims the Speaker failed to reprimand the member, whom they labeled a “habitual offender.”
- Derogatory Remarks by the Chair: The Opposition took strong exception to Om Birla’s February 5 statement, where he accused members of creating “unprecedented scenes” and suggested he advised the Prime Minister to stay away from the House to avoid an “unpleasant incident.” The notice calls these claims “blatantly false.”
“Pained and Anguished”
While the motion clarifies that the Opposition holds the Speaker in personal regard, it emphasizes that his recent actions amount to an “abuse of constitutional office.” The 118 signatories expressed “anguish” over a consistent pattern of preventing MPs from raising issues of public concern.
