Lok Sabha Likely to Debate Resolution Seeking Speaker Om Birla’s Removal in First Week of Upcoming Session The Lok Sabha is expected to take up a resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla from office during the first week of its upcoming session, with both the Congress and BJP issuing directives to their members to attend the House from March 9 to 11. The resolution, signed by 118 Opposition MPs, alleges partisan behavior by Birla, though the Trinamool Congress declined to support it, arguing the issue should have been addressed incrementally. The resolution follows a contentious first part of the Budget Session, marked by clashes between the ruling and Opposition benches. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s speech during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address was interrupted by protests over his reference to excerpts from the unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General Naravane. Eight Opposition members were suspended for violating rules, including throwing papers at the Speaker’s chair. These suspensions will extend into the second part of the session. Birla’s decision to boycott the House until the notice for a no-confidence motion against him was resolved further complicated proceedings. The Lok Sabha passed the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address on February 5 without the customary reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted historical precedents, recalling a similar resolution filed in 1954 when the combined Opposition had around 50 members. He emphasized the importance of parliamentary democracy, stating the Opposition has the right to debate the issue. Three past Lok Sabha Speakers—G. V. Mavlankar, Hukam Singh, and Balram Jakhar—faced similar resolutions, though none succeeded.#congress #rahul_gandhi #lok_sabha #speaker_om_birla #bjp
