No-Confidence Motion Against Om Birla: Rahul Gandhi Says PM Modi Compromised, Ravi Shankar Prasad Strongly Denies
The Lok Sabha turned into a battlefield on the third day of Parliament’s Budget Session as the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla sparked fiery exchanges. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi directly accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being “compromised”, while senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad firmly rejected the charge.
Speaking during the debate, Rahul Gandhi said, “Whenever we try to speak, we are interrupted. This discussion is about democracy and the role of the Speaker… The last time I spoke, I raised the issue of compromises on the part of the Prime Minister.” He added that this was the first time the Leader of Opposition was not allowed to speak freely in the House. “The Prime Minister is compromised,” he repeated.
Moments after Rahul Gandhi finished, Ravi Shankar Prasad rose and hit back sharply. “Never… never. PM Modi’s India will never be compromised,” he declared. He reminded the House that despite repeated disruptions, Speaker Om Birla has remained calm and smiling. “They lack basic understanding,” Prasad said, criticising the opposition for surrounding the Speaker and throwing papers.
Heated Clashes and Personal Attacks
The debate saw multiple BJP MPs join the attack. Anurag Thakur accused Rahul Gandhi of siding with the “Tukde Tukde gang” and having “FOMO for headlines”. He said the House will run by the rulebook, not anyone’s “personal toolkit”. Nishikant Dubey rejected any “certificate” from the opposition, while Kiren Rijiju warned that CCTV footage of opposition MPs entering the Speaker’s chamber on February 11 could be released if needed.
Congress leaders, including KC Venugopal, hit back by questioning why Prime Minister Modi was absent from the House. “Where is our PM? Why is he not here to speak on the Speaker’s no-confidence motion?” Venugopal asked. He also alleged microphones were being switched off when opposition leaders stood to speak.
Opposition Links Debate to LPG Shortage Crisis
The no-confidence motion against Om Birla debate ran parallel to loud protests over the LPG shortage. Opposition MPs created uproar during Question Hour, forcing multiple adjournments. Congress and TMC leaders blamed the government for failing to handle the impact of the West Asia conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. They pointed out that commercial LPG cylinders are now unavailable in many places, with prices up ₹60 for commercial and ₹115 for domestic cylinders.
CPI(M) MP Amra Ram said the country is not functioning as effectively as before. Priyanka Chaturvedi and K.C. Venugopal highlighted how hotels, restaurants and even crematoriums in Pune are shutting down due to the gas crisis. Several MPs demanded immediate discussion and long-term planning from the Centre.
Motion Unlikely to Succeed
As per Article 94 of the Constitution, removing the Speaker needs a simple majority. With the NDA holding over 290 seats, the motion is widely expected to fail. The Speaker will not preside during the debate but can speak and vote as a regular MP.
The House witnessed repeated sloganeering and walkouts, yet proceedings continued after brief adjournments. Live updates from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha show the government defending its position while the opposition keeps the pressure on issues of democracy and daily hardships like rising LPG prices.
This intense session reflects the growing tension between the ruling alliance and the opposition ahead of key legislative business. Readers can follow Bhaskar English for minute-by-minute Parliament updates as the debate continues.
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