• Source:JND

Parliament Budget Session: The second half of the Parliamentary Budget session will resume on Monday with a discussion and voting on the no-confidence motion passed against the Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla. In the first phase, the Opposition had filed a notice against the Speaker which was signed by 118 members. After the approval of the notice, time shall be fixed for the debate.

The Opposition had accused Birla of denying required speaking time to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, along with the suspension of MPs. The debate may also enter a political stage for parties to position themselves before the upcoming elections in West Bengal, Kerala, and Punjab.

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What Do The Rules Say

During a debate on a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, parliamentary rules require the Speaker to step away from the chair while the discussion takes place. The proceedings are overseen by the Deputy Speaker. However, since that position is currently vacant, the responsibility will fall to the most senior member from the Speaker’s panel to preside over the House. BJP MP Jagadambika Pal is likely to take up that role.

Such a motion against a Lok Sabha Speaker is not being introduced for the first time. Back in 1954, members of the House moved a no-confidence motion against the then Speaker GV Mavalankar.

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Number Game Explained

Removing the Lok Sabha Speaker requires the vote of at least 272 MPs, the simple majority mark in the House. Even if the Opposition secures support from the Trinamool Congress, its numbers still do not reach that threshold.

At present, the NDA enjoys a comfortable advantage in the Lok Sabha with the support of 293 MPs. This includes 240 members from the BJP, along with 16 from the JD(U), 12 from the TDP, and several others from NDA allies.

The Opposition has just 238 MPs in total. Of these, 99 belong to the Congress, while the remaining seats are held by parties such as the Samajwadi Party, DMK, Trinamool Congress, and others.

Given this number game, a vote on the no-confidence motion against the Speaker is unlikely to go in the Opposition’s favour.

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