Speaker Om Birla: A massive uproar is expected in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday during the second phase of the Budget Session. The House is currently debating the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will participate in the discussion today.
Earlier on Tuesday, a barrage of accusations and counter-accusations continued. While the opposition levelled serious allegations against Birla, including that he was the voice of the government, the government maintained that Birla had never behaved in a biased manner. Following the uproar, proceedings in both Houses were adjourned until Wednesday.
Lok Sabha debate on Om Birla: 10 Hours Allotted
Wednesday is the third day of the second phase of Parliament’s Budget Session. The Lok Sabha will continue to discuss the opposition’s no-confidence motion to remove Speaker Om Birla. A total of 10 hours have been allotted for this discussion, with approximately 7 hours of debate taking place on Tuesday.
Om Birla controversy: Opposition’s Allegation
On Tuesday, the second day of the session, opposition MPs introduced a no-confidence motion against Om Birla, accusing him of bias in the House proceedings. After receiving support from more than 50 MPs, the presiding officer approved the motion and allowed it to be discussed in the House.
Speaker Om Birla: ‘Speaker Working Under Pressure’
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, opening the debate, said that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was interrupted 20 times during the Budget Session and was repeatedly shown the rule book. The opposition alleged that the Speaker was working under pressure from the government.
Ruling Party’s Response
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the allegations against Om Birla are false. He said that the Speaker conducts the House proceedings impartially. He pointed out that the Leader of the Opposition spoke only twice in the 15th Lok Sabha and went abroad when the session was in progress. The Leader of the Opposition leaves the House after speaking and then alleges that he was not allowed to speak.
Opposition is bent on removing Om Birla from office. How many votes will be needed?
It should be noted that this no-confidence motion against Om Birla was introduced in February, signed by approximately 118 MPs. A 10-hour period has been set aside for debate on this motion, after which MPs will vote on it. The opposition needs a simple majority to pass the motion.
Getting this majority is difficult for the opposition. If it does, it could be used as a no-confidence motion against the government. However, this is extremely unlikely.
Also Read- Om Birla – Can opposition remove him as Speaker? Motion has failed all 3 previous attempts
