In a rare and dramatic escalation in Parliament, 118 Opposition MPs have submitted a no-confidence notice against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The move comes after days of heated exchanges during the Budget Session, with the Opposition accusing the Speaker of partisan conduct.
The notice was submitted on February 10, just a day after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi publicly complained that Birla had gone back on a promise to let him speak on key issues. At the time, BJP MP Sandhya Rai was presiding, and Gandhi was not allowed to continue. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju denied any such assurance existed.
What Triggered the Om Birla No Confidence Motion?
The flashpoint occurred when Rahul Gandhi told the House that the Speaker had personally assured him speaking time before the Budget. When denied, the House was adjourned. On February 10, Om Birla was notably absent from the chair.
The Opposition lists four main charges in the notice:
- Rahul Gandhi was stopped from completing his speech during the President’s Address debate.
- Eight Opposition MPs were suspended for the entire Budget Session.
- No action was taken against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for controversial remarks about former Prime Ministers.
- Birla made serious allegations that Congress MPs might attack Prime Minister Modi, leading him to ask the PM not to enter the House.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said the Speaker’s role has become “no longer impartial,” leaving them with no choice but to act.
Om Birla Recuses Himself from the Chair
In a significant development, Speaker Om Birla has decided not to preside over Lok Sabha proceedings until the no-confidence motion is resolved. Sources say he is staying away on moral grounds, even though rules do not require it. The Lok Sabha Secretariat is now examining the notice, which carries more than the required 50 signatures.
The Process to Remove the Lok Sabha Speaker
Under Article 94 of the Constitution, removing the Speaker requires a resolution passed by a simple majority of members present and voting. The notice needs at least 50 MPs and must meet procedural checks. Once accepted, the House sets a date for debate—possibly as early as March 9.
Importantly, the Speaker does not preside during the discussion. The Speaker can attend, speak in his defence, and even vote. If the motion passes with more than half the votes, Birla would be removed immediately, and the House would elect a new Speaker.
Why Move the Motion Without the Numbers?
The Opposition, even with full INDIA bloc support, has around 235 MPs—short of the 272 needed for a majority in the 543-member Lok Sabha. Political experts call this a “message politics” strategy. It highlights alleged suppression of Opposition voices and tests the unity of the INDIA alliance.
TMC has not yet fully backed the notice. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said they want written demands first and will decide in two-three days. With TMC’s 29 MPs, the numbers still fall short.
Is the Speaker’s Chair Under Real Threat?
Most analysts say no. The motion is unlikely to pass, but it keeps the spotlight on Parliament’s functioning and Opposition grievances. Similar moves were made against former Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in 2024—also unsuccessful but politically loud.
As the Budget Session continues, all eyes are on whether the motion reaches debate and how it affects House proceedings. For now, the absence of Om Birla from the Speaker’s chair marks an extraordinary moment in Indian parliamentary history.
