NEW DELHI — A day after the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against him was defeated, Om Birla returned to the Speaker’s chair in the Lok Sabha today. Addressing the House, Birla dismissed allegations of partiality and emphasized that parliamentary proceedings must strictly adhere to established regulations.
The motion, which was defeated by a voice vote on Wednesday, had led to Birla recusing himself from the House proceedings for nearly a month on moral grounds.
Key Highlights of the Speaker’s Address:
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Defense of Neutrality: Birla clarified that while he ensures every MP has the opportunity to speak, such participation must remain within the framework of House rules.
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Recusal on Moral Grounds: He noted that although not legally required, he chose to step down during the motion’s pendency because he felt it was inappropriate to preside while his authority was being questioned.
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Call for Order: “Let us conduct the proceedings according to the rules. These regulations are the same for everyone—the Opposition and the Government alike,” Birla stated.
Context of the Conflict:
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The Motion: Filed on February 10 by Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi, the notice followed a series of flashpoints, including the suspension of eight Opposition MPs and restrictions placed on Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a debate.
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The Defeat: On Wednesday, presiding officer Jagadambika Pal announced the motion’s rejection via voice vote amid heavy sloganeering, after the Opposition declined to return to their seats for a formal division.
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Government Support: Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Speaker, calling the resolution “unfortunate” and describing the Speaker as the neutral custodian of parliamentary trust.
With the motion resolved, the Speaker has signaled a “rules-first” approach to manage the remainder of the session’s business.
