A group of Opposition MPs on Tuesday moved a resolution seeking a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, triggering a debate in the House over allegations of partisan conduct.

According to reports, 118 Opposition MPs have signed the motion, accusing the Speaker of acting in a manner that favours the ruling side after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was allegedly not allowed to speak in the House.

As the debate began, Congress MP KC Venugopal said the government had not appointed a Deputy Speaker for several years, which he argued had created a constitutional vacuum.

He said the House should elect a person who could preside over the proceedings during the discussion on the resolution.

“The government has not appointed the Deputy Speaker for the last several years, which has created a constitutional vacuum," Venugopal said, adding that the House must elect someone to preside over the proceedings during the debate on the motion.

Presiding over the proceedings, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was in the Chair, informed members that 10 hours had been allotted for the debate on the resolution.

He also urged MPs to confine their remarks strictly to the subject of the motion.

Pal further noted that the Speaker had been generous in allowing the Opposition to bring the resolution and in facilitating the procedure for the debate.

“The Speaker was generous with the permissions and procedure for the Opposition resolution," Pal said while asking members to adhere to the time limit and maintain focus on the resolution during their speeches.

Responding to the Opposition’s allegations during the discussion, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said the objections raised by the Opposition were unfounded.

“Opposition objections are baseless," Prasad said.

According to reports, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is expected to initiate the discussion from the government’s side.

Several BJP MPs, including Anurag Thakur, Nishikant Dubey, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Bhartruhari Mahtab, are also expected to participate in the debate.

From the Opposition benches, Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi, Manish Tewari, Deepender Singh Hooda, and Jothimani are likely to present their arguments in support of the resolution seeking the removal of the Speaker.

The motion has been brought amid Opposition allegations that the Speaker displayed partisan behaviour during the functioning of the House, particularly after Rahul Gandhi was allegedly denied the opportunity to speak.

The Budget Session of Parliament, which began on January 28, is currently underway.

The first part of the session continued until February 13, while the second part is scheduled to conclude on April 2.

Source: News18