Opposition Moves No-Confidence Notice Against Lok Sabha Speaker Amid Continuing Standoff

The political impasse in the Lok Sabha over granting the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, an opportunity to speak took a sharper turn on Tuesday, with Opposition parties submitting a notice seeking a no-confidence resolution against Speaker Om Birla.

At the same time, the Opposition’s decision to take part in the Budget discussion beginning later in the day has kept open the possibility of normal parliamentary functioning being restored.

From the Opposition benches, Shashi Tharoor, the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, is set to initiate the Budget debate, while Rahul Gandhi is also expected to take part in the discussion.

According to sources, as many as 118 Members of Parliament have signed the notice. All major Opposition parties supported the move except the Trinamool Congress. The DMK and the Samajwadi Party joined the Congress in backing the notice.

“At 1.14 pm today, we submitted a notice seeking a no-confidence motion against the Speaker,” said Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha.

The notice argues that Opposition leaders have repeatedly been denied the chance to speak in the House, calling it a violation of their fundamental democratic rights in Parliament.

The document was formally submitted to Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh. Sources in the Lok Sabha Secretariat said the notice would be examined and processed strictly in accordance with parliamentary rules.

As per Article 94(c) of the Constitution, any Lok Sabha member intending to move a resolution for the removal of the Speaker must submit a written notice to the Secretary General with a minimum notice period of 14 days.

Congress chief whip Manickam Tagore said the Opposition had acted in keeping with constitutional principles. “While we hold the Honourable Speaker in personal esteem, we are deeply distressed by the persistent refusal to allow Opposition MPs to raise matters of public importance.

This no-confidence notice—moved after many years—is an exceptional step compelled by exceptional circumstances,” he said.

Sources indicated that the Trinamool Congress had expressed reservations about submitting the notice on Tuesday itself, arguing that Speaker Birla should be given more time to address the Opposition’s concerns. Congress sources said this position was conveyed during a morning meeting of Opposition floor leaders.

Although the decision to move ahead with the notice was taken at that meeting, Opposition leaders made a final attempt to resolve the matter through dialogue.

Submission of the notice was briefly deferred as a delegation led by K C Venugopal met Speaker Birla in his chamber.

The government side was represented by Arjun Ram Meghwal. However, the talks failed to yield an agreement, sources said.

In the notice, the Opposition cited four specific instances to support its case.

It referred to February 2, when Rahul Gandhi was allegedly prevented from completing his speech during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, adding that such incidents were not isolated and that the Leader of the Opposition was “almost invariably” denied the floor.

The notice also pointed to February 3, when eight Opposition MPs were suspended for the remainder of the Budget Session, terming the action arbitrary and punitive for exercising democratic rights.

A third objection related to February 4, when a BJP MP was allowed to make what the Opposition described as objectionable and personal remarks against former Prime Ministers without any reprimand.

The notice claimed that despite repeated requests, no action was taken against the MP, who was described as a habitual offender.

The remarks in question were made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. While some of the comments were expunged, the Opposition alleged they were not fully removed from parliamentary records.

The notice further objected to Speaker Birla’s statement last week, in which he said he had advised Narendra Modi not to come to the Lok Sabha to reply to the debate.

On the day the Prime Minister was expected to deliver the customary response to the Motion of Thanks, Birla said he had acted on “credible information” suggesting that certain Congress MPs might attempt an unprecedented disruption near the Prime Minister’s seat.

He stated that it was at his own request that the Prime Minister did not enter the House.

Quoting this statement, the Opposition notice said it levelled false and derogatory allegations against Congress MPs and amounted to an abuse of the Speaker’s constitutional office, which is meant to safeguard parliamentary rules and decorum.

Meanwhile, 11 women MPs from the BJP wrote to Speaker Birla, strongly objecting to an earlier letter sent by Congress women MPs.

In their communication, the BJP MPs said that during his seven-year tenure as presiding officer, Birla has consistently worked to uphold the dignity, stature, and effectiveness of the Lok Sabha.

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