New Delhi: The Opposition on Tuesday escalated its confrontation with the Lok Sabha Chair by submitting a notice to move a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla, alleging partisan conduct and repeated denial of speaking opportunities to Opposition members.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi told media the motion, carrying 118 signatures, was submitted to Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh. The notice seeks the Speaker’s removal under Article 94(c) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
According to media reports, the Opposition has accused the Speaker of conducting proceedings in a “blatantly partisan manner” and claimed that leaders of Opposition parties have repeatedly been prevented from speaking, amounting to a denial of basic democratic rights within the House. However, Rahul Gandhi has reportedly not signed the no-confidence notice citing the dignity of parliamentary democracy.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore called the no-confidence motion an “extraordinary step” taken under “extraordinary circumstances.” In a post on X, Tagore said the Opposition placed its faith in constitutional propriety and has regard for the position of the speaker but they were pained by consistent denial of opportunities to Opposition MPs to raise issues of public important. “After many years, a no-confidence notice against the Speaker has been moved—an extraordinary step born out of extraordinary circumstances,” he wrote.
The motion refers to recent incidents in the House, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi being unable to complete his speech during the Motion of Thanks debate and the suspension of eight Opposition MPs amid ongoing disruptions.
The development comes amid a prolonged deadlock in the Lok Sabha. In an effort to restore order, the Speaker had earlier held meetings with senior leaders across parties, including Rahul Gandhi, Abhishek Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav and TR Baalu. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also met the Speaker later the same day.
Opposition leaders have maintained that their key demands include allowing the Leader of the Opposition to speak in the House and reviewing the suspension of MPs. Congress leader KC Venugopal had earlier indicated possible action against the Speaker, accusing the Chair of sidelining the Opposition and blocking discussion on important national issues.
The Lok Sabha has witnessed repeated disruptions in recent days, with Opposition members pressing for a discussion on the India–US trade framework.
The current impasse began last week after Rahul Gandhi raised references from an unpublished book by former Army chief MM Naravane on India-China relations. The disruptions were so severe that, for the first time in over two decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unable to reply in the Lok Sabha to the debate on the President’s address, which was eventually passed by voice vote.
On the same day, the Speaker alleged that he had received information suggesting some Congress MPs might approach the Prime Minister’s seat during the scheduled speech, raising concerns over security and decorum. The Opposition has strongly rejected the allegation.
A Lok Sabha functionary, however, said the atmosphere in the House had deteriorated sharply from the start of proceedings, leading to serious concerns about safety, parliamentary decorum, and the dignity of legislative functioning.
