Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju has said the debate and vote on a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will be taken up on 9 March, when the second part of the Budget session of Parliament begins. The announcement sets the stage for a charged sitting of the Lower House as the government prepares to push through a slate of significant legislative business.Rijiju, addressing reporters on Sunday, confirmed that the motion against Birla would be admitted for discussion under established parliamentary procedures and put to vote the same day. He indicated that the session, running from 9 March to 2 April, would feature several “important” pieces of legislation as well as what he described as a “critical” bill requiring extensive debate.
The no-confidence motion against the Speaker marks a rare procedural challenge in the Lok Sabha. While no-confidence motions against governments are more common, attempts to remove a Speaker are infrequent and governed by strict rules. Under Article 94 of the Constitution, a Speaker can be removed by a resolution of the House passed by a majority of all the then members, provided at least 14 days’ notice has been given. Parliamentary officials said the required notice period has been observed.
Om Birla, a Bharatiya Janata Party member from Kota in Rajasthan, has served as Speaker since June 2019. During his tenure, he has overseen several turbulent sessions, including those marked by frequent adjournments and confrontations between treasury benches and opposition members. The present motion reflects intensifying friction over the conduct of House proceedings, with opposition parties alleging bias in the handling of debates and disciplinary measures.
Government leaders have dismissed such claims, asserting that Birla has conducted proceedings in accordance with rules and conventions. Senior members of the ruling coalition have argued that the motion is politically motivated and timed to disrupt legislative work during the Budget session. They maintain that the Speaker’s role requires neutrality and that his rulings have consistently upheld parliamentary norms.
The second part of the Budget session traditionally focuses on the passage of the Finance Bill and other fiscal measures following detailed examination of demands for grants. This year, the government has signalled a broader agenda, with multiple bills expected to be tabled across sectors including economic reform, governance and regulatory oversight. While Rijiju did not enumerate each proposed measure, parliamentary affairs officials indicated that at least half a dozen bills are in advanced stages of drafting and consultation.
The reference to a “critical” bill has fuelled speculation among political observers. Legislative trackers note that several long-pending proposals could be revived, ranging from reforms to administrative tribunals to amendments affecting digital governance and regulatory bodies. Analysts caution that any major structural reform introduced during a politically sensitive session may encounter resistance from opposition benches already mobilised over the motion against the Speaker.
Debates over the functioning of the Lok Sabha have sharpened over the past year. Opposition members have repeatedly raised concerns about curtailed discussion time, suspension of MPs for alleged disorderly conduct, and the pace at which legislation has been cleared. Data compiled by parliamentary research groups indicate that a significant proportion of bills have been passed with limited debate compared to earlier decades. Government representatives counter that disruptions by opposition members have reduced effective working hours, necessitating streamlined proceedings.
Constitutional experts point out that the office of Speaker occupies a pivotal position in India’s parliamentary democracy. The Speaker presides over sittings, decides on points of order, certifies Money Bills and adjudicates on disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law. Any motion seeking removal is therefore seen not merely as a procedural device but as a political signal regarding trust in the impartiality of the Chair.
Political arithmetic will determine the outcome of the 9 March vote. The ruling coalition holds a majority in the Lok Sabha, suggesting that the motion faces long odds unless there is unexpected cross-voting. Opposition leaders have indicated they will use the debate to articulate broader concerns about parliamentary functioning, even if the resolution is defeated.
Beyond the Speaker’s motion, the Budget session carries economic significance. The Finance Bill, incorporating taxation proposals announced earlier in the year, must be passed before the close of the session. Business groups and industry associations are watching closely for clarity on fiscal policy, regulatory changes and sector-specific incentives. Economists note that parliamentary approval of expenditure plans underpins government spending programmes for the financial year.