Gaurav Gogoi Criticises Kiren Rijiju For Interruptions During Speaker Removal Discussion
Gogoi accuses Kiren Rijiju of repeatedly interrupting Lok Sabha during debate on Speaker Om Birla’s removal.
A heated exchange unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday as Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that a member of the panel of chairpersons can preside over the House during a resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. The remarks drew sharp criticism from Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, who accused Rijiju of repeatedly interrupting the Opposition during the ongoing debate on the no-confidence motion against the Speaker.
Gogoi raised procedural and constitutional concerns, asserting that the Speaker should not preside when a resolution questioning their own position is under discussion. He questioned the appointment of Jagdambika Pal from the panel of chairpersons to preside over the House, arguing that allowing a panel member chosen by the Speaker could constitute a “violation of the Constitution.”
Rijiju responded, stating that Jagdambika Pal, as a member of the panel, is authorised to preside over such proceedings. This prompted Gogoi to retort, “In future, when there will be research on parliamentary records, statistics will tell that Kiren Rijiju was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister who interrupted the Opposition the most.”
Also Read: Speaker Removal Motion: Om Birla to Step Aside as Lok Sabha Debates His Conduct
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also intervened, agreeing with Rijiju’s frequent interruptions but countering that the Opposition has been “irresponsible” in its conduct. Gogoi, however, maintained that the Opposition’s concerns were not personal but related to the functioning of the Chair and parliamentary protocol, highlighting that the post of Deputy Speaker has remained vacant under the current government.
He added that in the previous three instances of no-confidence motions against a Lok Sabha Speaker, a Deputy Speaker had presided over the proceedings, underscoring the irregularity in the current arrangement. Gogoi noted that despite the INDIA Bloc holding nearly 200 seats, the absence of a Deputy Speaker raises questions about the House’s functioning and adherence to constitutional norms.
The exchange reflects heightened tensions in the Lok Sabha during the debate on Speaker Om Birla’s removal, with Opposition members emphasising procedural propriety while the government defends its administrative decisions and authority over parliamentary processes.
Also Read: ONOE Bill Draws Attention As Rijiju Labels It Critical In Parliament
