NEW DELHI — Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp critique of the Opposition on Wednesday, following their notice to remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. He specifically called upon senior members, including Shashi Tharoor, to mentor their colleagues on parliamentary decorum and established rules.
The Home Minister dismissed claims that the Leader of the Opposition was being silenced, clarifying that microphones are managed strictly according to House regulations, which apply to ministers and opposition members alike.
Key Highlights from the Address:
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Procedural Errors: Shah pointed out significant lapses in the Opposition’s notices, including incorrect dates and the use of photocopied signatures for 108 members, which the Speaker himself reportedly helped rectify.
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Precedent vs. Practice: He noted that while past Speakers often presided over their own no-confidence motions, Om Birla chose to recuse himself, setting a new standard for parliamentary transparency.
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Lack of Debate: The Minister highlighted that although March 9 was designated for a discussion on the motion, the Opposition failed to participate in the debate.
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Call for Counseling: Shah suggested that experienced leaders like Shashi Tharoor should “counsel” those stoking pandemonium to ensure the House functions with integrity.
Shah concluded that the conduct of the Congress-led Opposition reflected a lack of seriousness and emphasized that the Chair has every right to correct members who “deliberately and delinquently” violate norms.
