Opposition Plans Move to Remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
Congress says there is “no space for opposition” in Parliament, asks observers to wait for next steps
The Opposition has decided to move a resolution seeking the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing him of bias and of repeatedly denying Opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, the chance to speak in the House.
According to sources, the resolution will be brought under Article 94(c) of the Constitution. The notice reportedly accuses the Speaker of disallowing Rahul Gandhi from speaking during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, failing to take action against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, and making what the Opposition describes as unsubstantiated remarks against women MPs from the Congress.
A statutory resolution is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha soon. For the motion to be admitted, it must carry the signatures of at least 100 Members of Parliament, and Opposition parties are currently gathering support.
The decision was taken at a meeting of senior Opposition leaders held in the chamber of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday morning. Leaders from the Trinamool Congress, DMK, Left parties, Samajwadi Party, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and RSP were present at the meeting.
Amid reports about a possible no-confidence motion against the Speaker, the Congress said that the Opposition is being systematically silenced in Parliament. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal alleged that while the government side is allowed to speak freely, Opposition leaders are frequently stopped from expressing their views.
“You can see what is happening in this session. The Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is not being allowed to speak. The government side can say anything, even make derogatory remarks, but the Opposition is blocked,” Venugopal told reporters in the Parliament House complex.
He also accused the Speaker of making allegations against Congress women MPs and said such treatment of the Opposition had never been seen before. When asked directly whether a motion against the Speaker would be moved, Venugopal declined to comment, saying, “Wait for action. The entire Opposition is united.”
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav echoed similar concerns, claiming that remarks made by ruling party leaders are rarely expunged, while microphones of Opposition MPs are often switched off.
These developments come after an unusual episode last week when the Lok Sabha passed the Motion of Thanks without Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s customary reply. The reply had been scheduled earlier but was postponed amid continuous protests by Opposition members.
Last Thursday, Speaker Om Birla said he had “concrete information” suggesting that some Congress MPs might approach the Prime Minister’s seat and attempt an “unexpected act.” He later requested the Prime Minister not to come to the House, stating that such an incident would have severely damaged India’s democratic traditions.
The Congress strongly denied the allegation. Leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the claim “an absolute lie” and accused Prime Minister Modi of “hiding behind” the Speaker.
