Opposition gives notice of no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla, signed by 119 MPs
The opposition in India has submitted a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, citing a failure to allow opposition leader Rahul Gandhi to speak during a discussion.
The political climate in India's Lok Sabha is growing increasingly contentious as the main opposition party, Congress, has formally laid a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla. This move comes in response to recent frustrations voiced by the opposition, particularly concerning the Speaker's handling of parliamentary proceedings, where they claim that leader Rahul Gandhi was not permitted to speak during a crucial discussion on the President's address. As per parliamentary procedure, this notice has been submitted in accordance with Article 94C, indicating serious procedural grievances against the Speaker.
The no-confidence motion was announced by Gaurav Gogoi, the Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, who confirmed that the proposal has garnered the support of 119 Members of Parliament. This significant number of signatures indicates a united front amongst the opposition parties seeking to challenge the Speaker's authority and decision-making processes. The notice was submitted to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General at 1:14 PM, potentially leading to a suspension of Om Birla's ability to conduct proceedings in the House.
As tensions increase within the Lok Sabha, Om Birla's absence from conducting today's proceedings can be viewed as a direct result of the mounting pressure. This move by the opposition not only intensifies the political showdown within the Parliament but also highlights ongoing issues surrounding the conduct of parliamentary debates, which have been a topic of contention in recent sessions. The implications of this no-confidence motion could be far-reaching, impacting the relationship between the Speaker and the opposition, as well as the overall functioning of the parliamentary system in India.