Lok Sabha Speaker No-Confidence Motion Debate Likely on March 9
According to sources cited by news agency ANI, a discussion on the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is likely to take place on March 9. This development follows a significant move by opposition parties, who have initiated the process to oust Birla from his position.
Opposition Alleges Partisan Conduct by Speaker
The opposition has accused Speaker Om Birla of acting in a blatantly partisan manner in the House. In response to these allegations, Birla has decided not to sit in the Speaker's chair until the no-confidence motion against him is settled, as confirmed by Lok Sabha secretariat officials.
In their motion, the opposition has further accused the Speaker of making false claims against Congress members. They referenced an incident where Birla spoke of some unexpected action in the Lok Sabha and advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to come to the House to reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address.
Constitutional Provisions for Speaker Removal
The process for removing the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is governed by Article 94C of the Constitution. Additionally, Article 96 provides the Speaker with an opportunity to defend himself or herself in the House during such proceedings.
It is important to note that while the Speaker can cast his vote when the motion for his removal is moved, he cannot cast his vote in the event of a tie, ensuring a fair process.
Background of Recent Lok Sabha Disruptions
The Lok Sabha has been experiencing disruptions since February 2. This turmoil began after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disallowed by the chair from quoting from an article based on excerpts of former Army chief M M Naravane's unpublished memoir, which contains references to the India-China conflict of 2020.
On February 4, Prime Minister Modi was unable to reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks due to opposition protests. In an unprecedented move, the Motion of Thanks was passed on February 5 without the customary speech by the prime minister. The Speaker read out the Motion of Thanks to the President for her address, and it was passed by a voice vote amid sloganeering by opposition members.
Speaker's Defense and Security Concerns
Speaker Om Birla has defended his actions by stating that he received concrete information indicating that many Congress MPs could carry out an unexpected act by reaching the spot where PM Modi sits. Based on this security concern, he asked the Prime Minister not to come to the House to deliver his address, highlighting the Speaker's role in maintaining order and safety within Parliament.
