In a significant political move, the Lok Sabha is set to deliberate on a resolution for the removal of Speaker Om Birla on March 9. This development marks a potential confrontation between the ruling BJP-led NDA and opposition parties.

As Parliament reconvenes for the second segment of the Budget session, the opposition, led by Congress and its allies, has taken a firm stance against Birla, accusing him of biased conduct in his role as Speaker.

NDA’s Numerical Strength Poses Challenge for Opposition

The ruling NDA boasts a majority in the House with 293 Members of Parliament (MPs) out of a total of 541. This numerical advantage makes it highly probable that the motion to remove Birla will not pass. Nonetheless, this situation will serve as a litmus test for the opposition’s cohesion, particularly as some parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), have refrained from supporting the resolution. This ambivalence has led members of the treasury benches to speculate that Birla might gain backing from members outside the opposition bloc.

Party Whips Issued Ahead of Upcoming Vote

Both the BJP and Congress have issued directives to their respective members, emphasizing the importance of attendance in the Lok Sabha. The BJP’s whip mandates compulsory attendance for its MPs on the initial two days of the session, while Congress’s instructions apply for the first three days.

The procedural guidelines allow Speaker Birla to be present in the House to defend himself, although he will not occupy the Chair during this time. The agenda for Monday refers to the resolution, initially filed by three Congress MPs, and has garnered support from 118 MPs across Congress, the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and others.

Allegations Against Speaker Birla Highlight Political Tensions

The resolution outlines several grievances against Om Birla, particularly criticizing his decisions to prevent the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, and other MPs from addressing the House. Additional allegations include unwarranted remarks made against women MPs, the suspension of eight opposition MPs, and Birla’s failure to reprimand ruling party members for inappropriate comments directed at former Prime Ministers.

The motion accuses Birla of abandoning the impartiality essential for his role and claims he has consistently favored the ruling party’s perspective on contentious issues.

Implications of the Motion on Birla’s Position

The outcome of the motion could have significant implications for Speaker Birla, who has refrained from attending sessions since the notice was submitted on February 10. Should the motion be dismissed, he would be able to return to the Speaker’s position and preside over key legislative discussions for the government. There is a belief within the NDA that some non-NDA MPs might lend their support to Birla during this critical voting process.

The tensions between the opposition and the government have been particularly evident during this session, which has been marked by incidents such as Birla’s decision to block discussions related to a controversial unpublished book by former army chief M M Naravane. This, coupled with the suspension of opposing MPs for alleged disruptions, has led the opposition to express its diminishing faith in Birla’s ability to serve impartially as Speaker.

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