No-Confidence Motion Against Om Birla: Opposition Likely to Fall Short in Numbers

New Delhi: The budget session of Parliament is starting in the second phase from today. There is full chance of creating an uproar from the first day as the opposition is bringing a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. This notice was given in the first phase itself, and now as per the rules, it can be discussed and perhaps even voted on in the Lok Sabha today.

What is going to happen in Parliament today?

As soon as the session starts from March 9, the first thing in the Lok Sabha will be the debate on the no-confidence motion against Om Birla. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has already said that as per the rules, such a proposal is discussed on the first day itself. The speaker himself will not sit on the chair. Since the deputy speaker has not been elected, Jagdambika Pal, the senior-most MP of the panel, can take over the responsibility of running the House. Expect uproar and heated debate.

Who gave this proposal and how many MPs have the support?

Three Congress MPs – Mohammad Javed, Kodikunil Suresh and Mallu Ravi – had given this notice. Initially there were signatures of 118 MPs. TMC had not signed earlier, but now the party has announced that it will support the proposal and will also support voting. The opposition alleges that the Speaker did not allow Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to speak, suspended 8 MPs for the entire session, and made baseless allegations against women MPs.

What is the rule for bringing no-confidence motion against the Speaker?

According to Lok Sabha rules, notice can be given with the signatures of at least two MPs, and 14 days' notice has to be given. To approve it in the House, support of at least 50 MPs is required. If voting takes place, the decision is taken by simple majority (272 votes).

Does the opposition have majority?

The opposition does not have the numbers. Despite the support of TMC, the opposition has about 230-238 MPs. NDA has 240 candidates, JDU 16, TDP 12 and other allies including 290. So if voting takes place the proposal will fall. But the opposition will fiercely attack the government and the speaker in the debate.

When did such proposals come against the first speaker?

This is not a new thing.

• Came against first Lok Sabha speaker GV Mavalankar in 1954, but fell.
• In 1966, Madhu Limaye tried against Hukum Singh but could not gather numbers.
• In 1987, Somnath Chatterjee brought a case against Balram Jakhar, that too failed.
• Recently, in December 2024, a notice was given against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, but it was rejected.

The session is just beginning, and the political atmosphere is very heated. It remains to be seen how long today's debate lasts and how much the House is able to function. The opposition will try its best to corner the government in the name of Speaker.