Rijiju Warns Opposition of 'Guillotine' Amidst Speaker No-Confidence Motion

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has issued a strong warning to the Opposition, stating that the government would resort to the 'guillotine' procedure if protests continue to disrupt the functioning of the Lok Sabha. This statement comes amidst heightened political tensions surrounding the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, which is scheduled for debate and a subsequent vote on March 9, 2026. Rijiju's remarks were made on Sunday, February 15, 2026, as Parliament prepares for the second phase of the Budget Session, set to run from March 9 to April 2. He cautioned that persistent disruptions, similar to those seen in the first part of the session, would ultimately be detrimental to the Opposition. The minister emphasized that this part of the session is expected to be 'interesting,' with several 'important' legislations and a 'critical' bill slated for introduction and passage. The 'guillotine' is a parliamentary procedure used to fast-track the passage of financial bills, particularly the demands for grants, by putting them to a vote without extensive debate. Rijiju's invocation of this term signals the government's intent to ensure legislative business proceeds, even if it means curtailing the Opposition's opportunity for discussion and raising their issues. The no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla was formally moved by the Congress-led INDIA bloc on February 10, 2026. The notice, reportedly supported by around 118 to 120 Members of Parliament, cited various grievances, including allegations of the Speaker's 'blatantly partisan' conduct. Key reasons for the motion include Speaker Birla's decision to disallow Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi from quoting from an unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General MM Naravane during a debate, as well as the suspension of eight opposition MPs for unruly behavior. The Opposition also pointed to a statement by Speaker Birla suggesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi could have been attacked inside the House as a reason for their discontent. The Budget Session commenced with the President's address on January 28 and went into recess on February 12. The Union Budget for 2026 was presented on February 1. The decision to take up the motion on March 9, the first day after the recess, adheres to parliamentary rules requiring a 14-day notice period for such a resolution. Adding another layer of complexity to the parliamentary landscape is the long-standing vacancy of the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker's post, which has remained unfilled for seven years since June 19, 2019. Constitutional experts and opposition leaders, including Congress MP Manickam Tagore, have raised concerns that this vacancy undermines parliamentary democracy, especially given the convention that the Deputy Speaker's position is usually offered to the main opposition party to ensure balance and neutrality. The absence of a Deputy Speaker poses operational questions, particularly regarding who would decide on the admissibility of a resolution against the Speaker if the Speaker himself cannot preside. Political observers note a potential crack in the Opposition's unity, as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) did not sign the no-confidence motion against the Speaker. Rijiju also hinted that many smaller parties might be inclined to allow the House to function to raise their issues, especially with upcoming assembly elections in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The government's firm stance, coupled with its plans to introduce significant legislation, indicates a potentially confrontational yet legislatively active second half of the Budget Session. The ongoing parliamentary turmoil, including the no-confidence motion against the Speaker and the government's threat of using the 'guillotine,' underscores the deep divisions and intense political maneuvering within India's legislative body. The situation reflects a broader confrontation between the ruling alliance and the opposition, setting the stage for a critical period of parliamentary proceedings.

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