Why Rahul Gandhi Stayed Away From No-Confidence Notice Against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi did not sign the notice of a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with sources saying it is not appropriate for the LoP to sign a petition seeking the Speaker’s removal in a parliamentary democracy. The Speaker on Tuesday directed the House Secretary-General to examine the no-confidence motion notice and take appropriate action, sources said, reports ANI. The Indian National Congress earlier submitted a notice of a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, “At 1:14 pm today, we submitted a motion for a no-confidence motion against the Speaker under rule 94C rules and procedures.” Congress sources said 118 MPs have signed the notice.Congress

MP Shashi Tharoor said he supports the party’s move. “All I can say is I'm prepared for the budget speech. Whatever the party has said to do, the party has decided to do. Obviously, as a member of the party, I support the party,” Tharoor told reporters outside Parliament.

According to the notice shared by Congress MP Manickam Tagore on X, Opposition MPs alleged “blatantly partisan” conduct and said leaders of Opposition parties were not allowed to speak in the House. The notice cited four incidents, including the Opposition’s claim that Gandhi was not allowed to speak during the discussion on the motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, when he referred to General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir while discussing the 2020 standoff with China.The Opposition also flagged the suspension of eight MPs, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s “objectionable and personalised attacks” against former prime ministers, and a statement by the Speaker that he had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to come to the House to prevent any unpleasant incident after receiving information that some Congress MPs could approach the PM’s seat.Tagore said on X that the step was taken in “extraordinary circumstances,” adding, “The Opposition has placed its faith in constitutional propriety.”Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress asked the Congress to first submit an appeal to the Speaker before moving the no-confidence motion. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said the party would sign the motion if the Speaker does not act on the Opposition’s appeal within two to three days.

BJP on opposition notice against Birla

Meanwhile, the BJP has slammed the opposition for submitting a notice for moving a resolution to remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla from office, saying the time has come for India to "impeach" Rahul Gandhi and the Congress from politics."Those who have been impeached of their consciousness are the ones who want to impeach all the constitutional posts of India," BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters when asked about the opposition's notice.

The BJP also alleged that the Congress and its allies have been attacking constitutional institutions and posts at the behest of US-based billionaire George Soros since the BJP-NDA returned to power for a third consecutive term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.The BJP leader also slammed the TMC for giving a call to the opposition parties to move an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Parliament, saying those who have been "impeached" by the people want to impeach the "entire world"."Abhishek Banerjee was saying he will get the chief election commissioner impeached and removed. This is a new fashion these days," he said, adding, "What a joke it is. It doesn't happen like this."Patra said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the ruling TMC, who are calling Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll "anti-democratic", received a "severe jolt" from the Supreme Court after it made it clear on Monday that it will not allow anyone to create any impediment in the completion of the exercise.(With inputs from agencies)