Opposition Moves No-Confidence Motion Against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla; Debate Set

New Delhi: After the opposition parties moved a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday, a political confrontation broke out in the House. The resolution against Birla was moved by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed.

What did Mohammad Jawed say?

Congress MP Mohammad Jawed on Tuesday moved the resolution to table the no-confidence motion against Om Birla. More than 50 MPs stood in favour of moving the resolution.

Mohammad Jawed while bringing the resolution against Birla said that "the speaker has ceased to maintain an impartial attitude necessary to command the confidence of all sections of the House".

After this, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who is in the Chair, granted the leave, i.e. permission to the Congress MP. 

How many hours have be allotted for debate?

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said 10 hours have been allotted for debate, and asked the  MPs to stick to the resolution.

He said that the Speaker was generous with the permissions and procedure for the Opposition resolution.

The Lok Sabha officially begun discussing the resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla from office. 

Was any other issue also raised? 

The no-confidence motion has brought attention to the long-pending issue of appointing a Deputy Speaker. Now the opposition leaders are saying that the continued vacancy has created a constitutional imbalance in the functioning of the Lok Sabha.

What did Gogoi say? 

The discussion, for which 10 hours have been allocated was commenced by Congress' Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogo.

While speaking during the debate, Gogoi said, "This resolution has been brought as a responsibility to protect the dignity of the House, not personally against Om Birla."

Why was no-confidence motion brought against the Speaker?

It has been alleged in the motion that the Speaker did not give the opposition leaders a chance to speak on several occasions. The opposition also says that some comments were made about women MPs that were not appropriate. Apart from this, there has also been mention of suspending opposition MPs for the entire session for raising public issues.