Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to Stay Away from House Proceedings Till Decision on No-Confidence Motion

New Delhi

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has decided to remain away from the proceedings of the House until discussion and a decision are taken on the no-confidence motion moved against him by the Opposition. According to sources, the matter may be taken up for consideration on March 9, which will be the first day of the second phase of the Budget Session. On the same day, a decision may be taken on whether to initiate discussion on the no-confidence motion against the Speaker.

It is noteworthy that Opposition parties have been consistently alleging that Speaker Om Birla has not been conducting the proceedings of the Lok Sabha in an impartial manner and has shown a bias in favour of the ruling party. However, given the numerical strength of the government in the Lok Sabha, the no-confidence motion is largely being seen as symbolic in nature, with very little chance of being passed.

On Tuesday, Opposition parties submitted a notice of a no-confidence motion against Om Birla under Article 94(c) of the Constitution. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi stated that the notice was formally submitted at 1:14 pm under Rule 94(c) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.

According to the Congress, the motion has been signed by a total of 118 Members of Parliament. Along with the Congress, several Opposition parties including the Samajwadi Party and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have supported the move. However, the Trinamool Congress has not signed the notice so far.

In the notice, Opposition MPs have alleged that the Lok Sabha Speaker repeatedly denied them the opportunity to raise important issues related to public interest in the House. The Opposition has claimed that this compelled them to bring a no-confidence motion against the Speaker.

All eyes are now on March 9, when the future course of action on the no-confidence motion may be decided on the first day of the second phase of the Budget Session.

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