No Confidence Motion Against Birla Defeated By Voice Vote

New Delhi: Following a nearly ten hour debate, spread over two days, the no confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla got defeated by voice vote on Wednesday. Mr Birla, who has not been attending the House since the notice for resolution by Congress MPs was accepted by his office, will resume functioning in the House from Thursday. Lamenting the Opposition, Union Home Minister Mr Amit Shah said to oppose the government, it has raised questions on the integrity of the Speaker, who is a symbol of the dignity of democracy.Mr Shah also made personal comments on Leader of Opposition Mr Rahul Gandhi saying, “You come and hug the Prime Minister, you give flying kisses and wink at members sitting in the House. Is this how you conduct yourself in Parliament?” provoking sharp protests from the Opposition. After the debate ended with the reply by Mr Shah, Mr Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair, called Mohammad Jawed of Congress to speak on the resolution he had moved. However, Mr Jawed too joined his party colleagues in seeking an apology from the HM on his words against the LoP. As the protests continued, Mr Pal sought the vote of the House and the resolution was rejected by a voice vote, following which he adjourned the House for the day.More than 42 Members of Parliament spoke on the resolution moved by Congress MPs that sought removal of Mr Birla alleging bias and “trampling the voice of Opposition.”Knowing fully they were short of numbers to win the resolution, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal said in the House, “It is not just about removing the Speaker, it is about restoring the soul, dignity and the independence of the Lok Sabha, and the nation.”Responding to the debate on the resolution, Mr Shah targeted Mr Gandhi saying the LoP was absent most of the time from the house, and did not speak on crucial issues including landmark legislations. Majority of the BJP speakers also made direct attacks on the Congress party and the LoP prompting Congress MP K.C. Venogopal questioned if the no confidence was against the LoP or the Speaker. In between, Mr Gandhi tried to counter an allegation by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad.Hitting out at the Congress for bringing the resolution, the HM underlined that the Speaker’s role is of a mediator but for politics some Opposition parties were questioning the integrity of the speaker. He claimed that the notice for no confidence was full of flaws which the Opposition had deliberately submitted hoping Mr Birla would reject it. But the Speaker got it corrected twice and accepted it.”According to the established history of this House, its proceedings are conducted on the basis of mutual trust. The Speaker serves as a neutral custodian, representing both the ruling party and the Opposition. It is unfortunate for parliamentary politics that a resolution for the removal of the Speaker has come,” he said.Mr Shah said that despite being in Opposition several times, the BJP or the NDA never took such a drastic step. He mentioned that all the previous no confidence motions were brought by the parties against Congress party’s Speakers and all these parties are today in alliance with the UPA.“Thrice no confidence has been brought against the Speaker but it was never the NDA or the BJP that brought it despite being in Opposition. All those who brought no confidence are today part of the UPA. BJP always believes that the Speaker’s integrity should never be questioned,” HM said adding the Opposition has raised questions on Mr Birla’s integrity which was akin to questioning the country’s democratic processes.Earlier Congress leader K C Venugopal alleged that Speaker Om Birla’s hands were “tied” by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, forcing him to act according to the ruling party’s wishes. Venugopal criticised Mr Birla for making allegations against the women MPs, stating that if Mr Birla claimed to have “concrete information” suggesting that some Congress MPs might carry out an “unexpected act” by approaching the spot where Mr Modi sits then why did he not report the matter to police.”This was a very derogatory, defamatory and most irresponsible statement…,” said Mr Venugopal inviting sharp reactions from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju who warned Mr Venugopal to mind his words since the Speaker was not present to defend himself. “If footage of the CCTV camera is released, the whole world would be ashamed of the behaviour of your MPs,” said Mr Rijiju.



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