New Delhi: In a rare development in Lok Sabha history, the House is expected to debate on March 9 a motion moved by opposition parties seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. As the motion concerns him directly, he is not expected to preside over the sitting and will instead watch the proceedings from the treasury benches.
The second phase of Parliament’s Budget Session is set to begin on March 9. Opposition parties are preparing to raise multiple issues, while the Union government is pushing to pass key bills.
The notice for the removal motion follows opposition allegations from the first phase of the session. They have accused the Speaker of not allowing Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to speak during the debate on the motion thanking the President’s address, and have criticised the suspension of eight MPs.
According to the notice submitted to the Lok Sabha Secretariat by Congress chief whip Suresh, it carries signatures of 118 opposition MPs, including those from the Congress, DMK and Samajwadi Party. Trinamool Congress MPs did not sign the notice.
Constitutional expert P.D.T. Achary said Article 96 bars the Speaker from chairing the House when a motion for his removal is under consideration, though he may remain present and respond to allegations. He added that removal would require majority support in the House, and that the matter can be taken up after 14 days of notice, with at least 50 MPs required to stand in support for the motion to proceed to a vote.
