Upping the Ante: Opposition Submits No-Confidence Motion to Remove Speaker Om Birla

In a rare and significant escalation of the ongoing parliamentary logjam, the INDIA bloc officially submitted a notice for a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The move, led by the Congress, accuses the Speaker of “blatantly partisan” conduct and suppressing the voice of the Opposition.

The notice, carrying 118 signatures, was handed over to Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh at 1:14 PM by senior Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi, K. Suresh, and Md. Javed.

The Charges: Why the Opposition Wants Birla Out

According to the text of the resolution moved under Article 94(c) of the Constitution, the Opposition has cited four primary grievances:

1. Denial of Speaking Time: Allegations that Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi was repeatedly blocked from speaking, specifically during the Motion of Thanks when he attempted to cite Gen. (Retd.) MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir.
2. Selective Disciplinary Action: The suspension of eight Opposition MPs for the remainder of the session is termed “unilateral and vindictive.”
3. Allegations Against Women MPs: The Opposition has slammed Birla for his “defamatory” claim that he advised the PM to skip the House because Congress women MPs were planning an “unprecedented incident” near the PM’s seat.
4. Preferential Treatment: Allegations that the Chair allows Treasury bench members, specifically BJP’s Nishikant Dubey, to make derogatory remarks against the Nehru-Gandhi family without intervention.

Constitutional Procedure: What Happens Next?

A Speaker cannot be removed overnight. The process is governed by strict constitutional and parliamentary rules:

• The 14-Day Rule: Under Article 94, a resolution for the removal of the Speaker requires a mandatory 14-day notice period.
• The Debate: Once the notice period expires, the resolution is moved in the House. Crucially, while the motion is being discussed, Om Birla cannot preside over the session; the Deputy Speaker or a member from the Panel of Chairpersons will take the Chair.
• The Majority Required: For the Speaker to be removed, the resolution must be passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha (an absolute majority of the House strength).

The Treasury Bench Response

The BJP has dismissed the motion as a “diversionary tactic.”

• Counter-Complaint: Earlier today, a group of women BJP MPs wrote to the Speaker seeking the “strictest possible action” against Opposition members, alleging they “laid siege” to the PM’s seat and displayed “aggressive behavior” on February 4.
• Numbers Game: Given the current composition of the Lok Sabha, the Opposition lacks the numerical strength to pass the resolution. However, the move ensures that the Budget session will remain focused on the conduct of the Chair rather than legislative business.

Status of Major Parties