Speaker Om Birla to Refrain From Presiding Over House After Opposition’s Removal Move

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has announced that he will step aside from presiding over the Lower House until a no‑confidence motion against him — initiated by Opposition MPs — is resolved, marking a rare escalation in parliamentary friction during the ongoing Budget Session. The decision comes after a notice seeking his removal was formally submitted by members of the Opposition, who have accused him of partisan conduct.

On February 10, 2026, a coalition of opposition parties — led by the Congress and including allies such as the Samajwadi Party and DMK — delivered a no‑confidence notice signed by around 118–120 MPs to the Lok Sabha Secretary General, citing alleged bias in how Birla managed House proceedings. The motion, moved under Article 94(c) of the Constitution, specifically accuses the Speaker of “blatantly partisan” behaviour and repeatedly denying speaking opportunities to opposition leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

The immediate trigger for the motion was a contentious episode during debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, when the Opposition alleges Gandhi was not allowed to complete his speech, and several opposition MPs were suspended for the remainder of the session. The motion also references claims of inconsistent handling of other parliamentary matters, further inflaming political tensions.

Also Read: Opposition Moves No-Confidence Motion Against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

In response to the notice, Birla instructed the Lok Sabha secretariat to examine and expedite the procedural process associated with the motion, and opted not to preside over House sittings until the matter is settled. Officials note that although there is no strict rule requiring the Speaker to step aside while a removal motion is pending, Birla’s decision reflects the gravity of the situation and aims to uphold impartiality during the process.

Parliamentary sources say the no‑confidence motion could be taken up for discussion when the Lok Sabha reconvenes on March 9, 2026, following the current recess. If the House agrees to debate the motion, Birla retains the constitutional right to be present and defend himself, and even to cast a vote on the resolution that would determine his continuation as Speaker.

The development comes amidst heightened political contention in Parliament, with both government and Opposition benches seeking to manage floor strategy during the Budget Session. While the Opposition frames the motion as a necessary corrective to perceived procedural bias, political analysts note that the ruling coalition’s majority in the Lok Sabha makes the motion’s success uncertain, turning the standoff into a broader political message about parliamentary conduct and accountability.

Also Read: Opposition Targets Speaker Birla In No-Confidence Bid Over Rahul Gandhi Book Excerpts