Om Birla Steps Aside Amid Fierce No Trust Motion Drama

In a dramatic twist inside Parliament, Om Birla has stepped aside from his duties as Lok Sabha Speaker after a no trust motion was moved against him by the opposition. The move has left political circles buzzing and many debating what will happens next inside the House. The atmosphere inside Parliament is tense and clearly charged.

The opposition, led by members from the INDIA alliance, submitted a notice signed by more than 118 MPs accusing Birla of acting in a blatantly partisan way during the ongoing Budget session. They claim that the Speaker repeatedly denied key speaking opportunities to leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and suspended several MPs without fair process. These allegations have added fuel to an already heated political climate.

According to sources, the notice was submitted under Article 94(c) of the Constitution and the discussion on the no confidence motion is likely to be taken up on March 9, when Parliament reconvenes after the recess. Until then, Birla has chosen not to preside over any Lok Sabha proceedings which is seen as a rare step in Indian parliamentary history. It is not something that happens often.

Lok Sabha officials explained that while constitutional rules do not mandate the Speaker to step down simply because a motion has been filed, Birla decided to do so on moral grounds, signalling his intent to respect the House’s process and neutrality. The opposition’s case revolves around claims of bias and denial of fair opportunity, particularly during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address debate, when some key opposition voices felt shut out.

Though the motion has been filed and Birla is recusing himself, it remains to be seen how the proceedings will unfold. Previous attempts to remove a Lok Sabha Speaker have rarely succeeded, and no Speaker has been actually removed through such a motion in recent history. Yet this development clearly underscores the rising tensions in Parliament as political battles continue to intensify.

For now, Birla’s decision to step aside reflects the intense scrutiny and pressure he faced. The March 9 discussion could shape the tone of the remainder of the Budget session and maybe even set new precedents going forward.