Lok Sabha Speaker to recuse himself until no-confidence motion is decided

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has announced that he will recuse himself from presiding over the House proceedings until the no-confidence motion filed against him by the Opposition is resolved. This significant development comes amid an escalating confrontation between the ruling party and the Opposition over the conduct of parliamentary business during the ongoing Budget Session. The Opposition's move, supported by 118 MPs from parties including Congress, Samajwadi Party, and DMK, stems from allegations of a "blatantly partisan manner" in which the Speaker has been conducting the Lok Sabha's business. Key grievances cited in the notice include the consistent denial of opportunities for opposition MPs to raise issues of public importance, specifically mentioning the refusal to allow Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to speak during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address. Other reasons cited include the suspension of eight opposition MPs and the alleged inaction against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey for remarks made against former Prime Ministers. The notice for removal was formally submitted to the Lok Sabha Secretary General under Rule 94C of the Rules and Procedures of the House. The Speaker, on moral grounds, has decided to step aside until the motion is disposed of, and has directed the House Secretary-General to examine the notice and take appropriate action. The Budget Session of Parliament, which began on January 28, 2026, is scheduled to continue with discussions on the Union Budget 2026-27. On February 11, 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman engaged in a debate in the Lok Sabha, addressing allegations regarding tax devolution to states and emphasizing the government's commitment to fiscal federalism. She asserted that the Centre had met the 15th Finance Commission's recommendations on tax devolution and highlighted the increase in states' share of taxes. Sitharaman also spoke about the focus on bio-pharma in the Union Budget 2026-27 and the accessibility of AI education. During the budget discussions, Rahul Gandhi made strong allegations against the government regarding the India-U.S. interim trade agreement, claiming that the government had "sold Bharat Mata" through a "wholesale surrender" and compromised farmers' interests. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju countered these claims, stating that no one could sell the country and that Prime Minister Modi is the strongest PM. The proceedings have been marked by disruptions, with the Congress party walking out of the Lok Sabha at one point due to protests over the refusal to allow certain questions during the Question Hour. It is noteworthy that Rahul Gandhi, as the Leader of the Opposition, did not sign the no-confidence motion notice against the Speaker. Party sources indicated that it is not considered proper in a parliamentary democracy for the LoP to sign such a petition. While the Trinamool Congress (TMC) did not initially sign the notice, they indicated a willingness to consider supporting it if the Speaker failed to act on a prior appeal. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has been re-elected as Speaker for a second consecutive term in June 2024, having previously served since June 2019. The current Budget Session is scheduled to conclude on April 2, 2026.

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