New Delhi: Om Birla has reportedly stepped away from the post of Lok Sabha Speaker after Congress and other Opposition MPs moved a no-confidence notice against him on Tuesday.
Birla decided during the day that he will not attend the House until discussion and a decision are taken on the non-confidence notice that seeks his removal, sources told India Today.
While there is no such compulsion under the rules, he has chosen not to attend the House. Even if there are attempts by the government or the opposition to persuade him, he will not attend, it has been reported.
The motion to remove the Speaker may be taken up for discussion on the very first day of the second part of the Budget Session, on March 9. For this to happen, fifty MPs will be required to raise their hands. After this, the Chair may allow a discussion on the motion.
A Speaker cannot preside over any sitting, even if present, when a resolution for his or her removal is under consideration, under Article 96(1) of the Constitution. However, the Speaker has the right to participate in and speak during the proceedings, giving them an opportunity to defend against the charges. During such proceedings, the Speaker may be present on the floor of the Lok Sabha but must vacate the Chair.
The Congress moved the notice, alleging repeated instances of blatantly partisan conduct during the ongoing Budget session, including the denial of speaking time to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the suspension of party MPs, as reported by TOI.
The no-confidence motion, signed by 120 opposition MPs, was also moved for not initiating action against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, for making unsubstantiated charges against women MPs of the Congress.
“Notice of a resolution for the removal of Om Birla from the office of Speaker Lok Sabha, in terms of the provisions of Article 94(c) of the Constitution of India, has been given because of the blatantly partisan manner in which he has been conducting the business of the Lok Sabha. On several occasions, leaders of opposition parties have just not been allowed to speak, which is their basic democratic right in Parliament,” the motion moved by Congress said.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore said on X that the Opposition has taken such a step in “extraordinary circumstances.”
“The opposition has placed its faith in constitutional propriety. While holding the Hon’ble Speaker in personal regard, we are pained and anguished by the consistent denial of opportunities to Opposition MPs to raise issues of public importance,” Tagore said.
The motion received the support of 120 MPs, including the support of Samajwadi Party and DMK. However, another INDI Alliance partner, the Trinamool Congress, has not yet declared its position.
