Opposition plans to bring no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla

The Lok Sabha session on Monday started on a chaotic note as sources indicated that the INDIA bloc is preparing to move a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The decision reportedly was solidified during a strategy meeting of opposition floor leaders at the office of Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge. The move stems from the Opposition's mounting frustration over Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi being allegedly silenced during crucial debates, including the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.

Central to the dispute is an incident from last week where the Speaker barred Rahul Gandhi from referencing an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General MM Naravane regarding the 2020 India-China standoff. The Opposition has labeled this a "blot on democracy," arguing that the custodian of the House is unfairly stifling the voice of the shadow Prime Minister. Congress leader KC Venugopal accused the Speaker of acting on the government's behest to prevent scrutiny on sensitive issues like the India-US trade deal.

The friction intensified after Speaker Birla claimed he advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to avoid the House to prevent an "unprecedented incident" by protesting Congress MPs. The Opposition has dismissed these claims as a "tactic" to shield the PM from parliamentary accountability. Beyond the speech denial, the INDIA bloc is also demanding the immediate revocation of the suspension of eight MPs, asserting that the current functioning of the House has left no room for dissent.