New Delhi, India — March 6, 2026
Opposition parties in India’s Parliament have intensified their push to remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla from his position, with 118 members of parliament signing a no-confidence motion accusing him of partisan conduct. Congress leaders assert the proposal aligns with parliamentary rules and traditions, calling for a full debate when the budget session resumes on March 9.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh confirmed that all opposition parties except the Trinamool Congress have endorsed the motion. “We expect discussions to begin on March 9,” Ramesh stated, emphasizing the democratic nature of the process. He referenced historical precedents, including a 1954 no-confidence motion against renowned Speaker G.V. Mavalankar, to underline that such actions are not unprecedented.
Ramesh further explained, “This is a healthy and democratic procedure. Our motion follows established rules and conventions. Similar motions have occurred before.” He stressed that the opposition has provided specific examples of Birla’s alleged bias, including false accusations against opposition members, and insisted on a debate to address these concerns.
The removal process, governed by Article 96 of the Indian Constitution, requires a simple majority to pass. During discussions, Birla would not preside over the House; instead, he would sit among members and have the right to speak in his defense and vote against the motion. Constitutional expert P.D.T. Acharya noted that Birla stepped back from presiding duties the day the notice was submitted.
The motion stems from allegations that Birla denied opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and others the opportunity to speak during the President’s address. Additionally, eight opposition MPs were suspended, prompting Congress members Gaurav Gogoi, K. Suresh, and Mohammad Javed to submit the notice to the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
This is not the first such challenge; previous Speakers G.V. Mavalankar (1954), Hukum Singh (1966), and Balram Jakhar (1987) faced similar motions, all of which failed in the House. As the session approaches, the outcome could shape parliamentary dynamics amid ongoing tensions.
