Speaker Birla To Skip Chairing Lok Sabha During Debate On Motion Seeking His Removal
Om Birla will not preside over proceedings when the House considers the resolution seeking his removal; Constitution allows him to defend himself and vote.
New Delhi, Mar 5: The Lok Sabha is expected to witness an unusual development during the second phase of the Budget Session when a resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla is taken up for discussion, likely on March 9. In accordance with constitutional provisions, Birla will not preside over the proceedings and will instead sit among members while the House debates the motion.
The resolution has been moved by opposition parties, accusing the Speaker of conducting parliamentary business in a “blatantly partisan” manner. The notice, signed by at least 118 MPs from several opposition parties including the Congress, Samajwadi Party and DMK, was submitted to the Lok Sabha Secretariat by Congress chief whip K. Suresh.
As per parliamentary procedure, the Speaker has the right to defend himself during the debate and may also cast a vote against the motion. However, he will not use the automated voting system and will instead record his vote through a ballot slip.
Constitutional expert and former Lok Sabha Secretary General P.D.T. Achary explained that Article 96 of the Constitution prevents a Speaker from presiding over the House when a motion seeking his removal is under consideration. Under such circumstances, the Speaker typically occupies a seat in the treasury benches during the debate.
The notice must remain pending for at least 14 days before being taken up for consideration in the House. For the motion to proceed, at least 50 MPs must stand in support when the Chair seeks approval from the House.
If admitted, the resolution must be debated and decided within ten days. Removal of the Speaker requires a simple majority of the effective strength of the Lok Sabha, not just those present and voting.
Although similar resolutions were moved in the past against Speakers G.V. Mavlankar, Hukam Singh and Balram Jakhar, none succeeded due to the ruling government’s majority in the House.
Sources in Parliament indicated that the motion could be discussed on the first day of the session’s second phase.
