New Delhi: The Congress party has issued a notice for a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday. Congress Deputy Leader Gourav Gogoi revealed that the notice was submitted after meeting with the Lok Sabha Secretary General. The party has reportedly gathered signatures from over one hundred Members of Parliament (MPs) to support the motion.
Congress accuses the Speaker of bias, citing specific instances such as the denial of speaking opportunities to Rahul Gandhi and the suspension of eight Congress MPs. The party has expressed outrage over allegations made by the Speaker that Congress women MPs would attack the Prime Minister. According to Congress sources, a total of 118 MPs have signed the motion, underscoring the level of discontent within the opposition.
As per Article 94(C) of the Indian Constitution, a notice must be given 14 days prior to the removal of the Speaker. Following this period, the motion will need to be approved in the House. In light of recent developments and a series of adjournments in Parliament, opposition leaders have come to this decision after extensive discussions.
Congress sources allege that despite attempts to bring up key points regarding the India-U.S. trade agreement, the Speaker denied permission for Rahul Gandhi to address these issues. Opposition leaders have voiced their concerns that Parliament appears to be restricted solely for the government’s use.
In response to these criticisms, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the opposition lacks the necessary numbers to carry the motion forward. Meanwhile, a decision regarding the no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla was made during the INDIA coalition meeting led by Mallikarjun Kharge. Although some members initially suggested filing a complaint letter to the Speaker, they ultimately leaned towards the no-confidence motion.
This move by Congress highlights the growing tension in the Parliament, where opposition parties feel their voices are being suppressed. The upcoming days will be crucial as the motion is prepared for submission, and the government will likely face increased scrutiny over its handling of parliamentary proceedings. With the political landscape in India becoming increasingly contentious, the outcome of this no-confidence motion could have significant implications for both the Speaker and the Congress party moving forward.
