India’s political atmosphere is set to heat up ahead of the second phase of the Parliament Budget Session after the All India Trinamool Congress decided to support a no-confidence motion against Om Birla.
India TV Sources said that party MPs have been instructed to vote in favour of the motion following directions from party chief Mamata Banerjee.
The development comes just days before the second phase of the Parliament Budget Session begins on March 9, setting the stage for a major confrontation between the ruling government and the opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Congress MPs Move Resolution to Remove Speaker
Three MPs from the Indian National Congress are expected to formally move the resolution seeking Birla’s removal.
The MPs include Mohammad Jawed, Kodikunnil Suresh, and Mallu Ravi.
In the resolution, the lawmakers accused the Speaker of functioning in a partisan manner and failing to maintain the neutrality expected from the office.
They alleged that Birla prevented Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders from speaking during parliamentary proceedings.
Allegations of Bias and Suspension of MPs
According to the resolution cited in the Lok Sabha’s list of business, opposition parties claim that Birla made “unwarranted allegations” against women MPs from opposition parties.
The motion also alleges that several opposition MPs were suspended for an entire parliamentary session simply for raising issues concerning the public.
In contrast, the opposition claimed that members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party were not reprimanded even after making derogatory remarks against former Prime Ministers.
Opposition leaders argued that such actions show the Speaker had failed to maintain the impartiality necessary to command the confidence of all sections of the House.
Three-Line Whip Issued Before Key Vote
Ahead of the expected showdown in Parliament, both the BJP and the Congress have issued a three-line whip to their Lok Sabha MPs.
The directive instructs members to remain present in the House between March 9 and March 11, when the motion and related debates could take place.
The move indicates that both sides are preparing for a crucial vote that could lead to intense political debate in Parliament.
Birla Had Stepped Away From Chair Earlier
The political standoff intensified during the first phase of the Budget Session when the Congress initially moved a no-confidence motion against the Speaker.
Following that development, Om Birla announced that he would temporarily refrain from presiding over the Speaker’s chair on moral grounds until the issue was resolved.
Parliament Uproar Over Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks
The latest confrontation comes after heated scenes in Parliament triggered by remarks made by Rahul Gandhi.
During a debate, Gandhi attempted to quote from an unpublished memoir written by former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane regarding the 2020 military standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
The remarks led to protests from ruling party members, causing massive disruptions in the Lok Sabha.
Soon after the incident, eight opposition MPs were suspended for the remainder of the session for violating parliamentary rules.
With the next phase of the Budget Session about to begin, the opposition’s push to remove the Speaker is expected to trigger a fierce political battle inside Parliament in the coming days.
