The opposition parties on Monday initiated efforts to introduce a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, as they continue to protest the Speaker’s handling of a recent disruption involving Rahul Gandhi. The stalemate was triggered after Gandhi was prevented from referencing an unpublished book by former army chief Manoj Naravane, leading to protests and the House’s adjournment.
In a bid to break the deadlock, opposition leader met Birla privately in his chamber, accompanied by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and floor leaders from Trinamool Congress and DMK, Abhishek Banerjee and T.R. Baalu. The meeting followed Gandhi’s repeated attempts to speak in the Lok Sabha, which were blocked, inciting an uproar that resulted in the House being adjourned without any business being transacted. The Treasury benches maintain that referencing an unpublished book is not permissible in the House.
Amid these developments, the Congress-led opposition prepared to file a no-confidence motion against Birla. However, sources indicated that Trinamool Congress and the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP had yet to sign the notice.
Opposition leaders accused Birla of partisanship, highlighting that while Gandhi was denied an opportunity to speak, BJP member Nishikant Dubey was allowed to make remarks that the opposition described as derogatory against the Nehru-Gandhi family. Additionally, a group of women Congress MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, wrote to the Speaker, alleging he made “false, baseless, and defamatory” allegations against them under “pressure from the ruling party.”
Last week, Birla had informed the House that he advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi against attending the session on February 5, citing “credible information” that women Congress MPs might create disruptions. Modi subsequently skipped his scheduled reply to the President’s address.
In their letter, Congress MPs denied any threat from their side and asserted that their absence was due to “fear” from the ruling party, not any actual threat. The signatories included Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jyothimani, R. Sudha, Varsha Gaikwad, and Jyotsna Mahant.
After meeting Birla, Rahul Gandhi told reporters that the deadlock could be resolved if he was allowed to raise issues related to the “silencing of the Opposition,” the “abuse of power” by the ruling party, and the “false allegations” against MPs. Gandhi expressed hope that discussions on the budget could follow, pending assurances from the government.
Sources indicated Birla had assured opposition leaders he would discuss their demands with the Treasury benches. However, opposition insiders suggested that the ruling side was unlikely to permit Gandhi to speak.
A Congress MP warned that if Gandhi was not allowed to speak the following day, the opposition would proceed with the no-confidence motion against the Speaker, which has already garnered signatures from many MPs.
Rahul Gandhi accused the government of being “afraid of a debate,” alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi avoided the House out of fear of facing the opposition and the controversy surrounding Naravane’s book. He also claimed the government was wary of a budget session where issues like the US trade deal and its impact on farmers would be discussed.
Responding to Gandhi’s allegations, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the opposition leader would be permitted to speak if the Congress allowed the House to function smoothly and permitted others to participate.
“I had assured the Congress that if they agree to let the House run normally, then we will allow them and others to speak. But I cannot accept disruptions and false accusations,” Rijiju stated.