'Is a No-Confidence Motion Against Speaker Om Birla Coming?': K.C. Venugopal Remains Non-Committal
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New Delhi, Feb 9 (NationPress) As speculation arises regarding the Opposition's potential no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress MP K.C. Venugopal has chosen to refrain from commenting, simply stating that the public should wait for actions.
Addressing journalists outside Parliament, Venugopal highlighted the ongoing pattern of restrictions faced by the Opposition within the House, alleging that Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, is being silenced.
"Take a look at the current proceedings in Parliament. According to established rules, the Leader of the Opposition serves as a counterpart to the Prime Minister. However, it’s evident that the LoP is not being granted the opportunity to voice his opinions. The ruling government is free to make statements about anyone they choose. Even the Honourable Speaker is making accusations against Congress women MPs," he stated.
He further asserted that not just Rahul Gandhi, but various Opposition leaders are also being denied their chance to speak in the House.
"Whether it’s the LoP or any other Opposition representative, they are being systematically excluded from discussions. This situation is unprecedented," he added.
When questioned about the rumored no-confidence motion against the Speaker, Venugopal declined to comment at this moment.
“I cannot provide any comments on these reports. Just wait for actions,” he remarked.
Venugopal also brought up the India-US trade agreement, indicating that Rahul Gandhi wished to address certain matters in the House but is being obstructed.
“Regarding the India-US trade deal, Rahul Gandhi has points to raise with the Speaker, but he is being denied the opportunity. This administration aims to transform Parliament into a platform solely for the government. How can Parliament function effectively under these conditions?” he questioned.
In the meantime, sources cited by NDTV indicate that the Opposition is contemplating a no-confidence motion against Speaker Birla, highlighting the growing mistrust between the ruling BJP and the Opposition during recent Parliament sessions.
According to parliamentary rules, a no-confidence motion against the Speaker necessitates a 14-day notice, implying that it could be introduced in the latter half of the Budget Session. The first portion of this session began on January 28 and is set to conclude on February 13, while the second half will commence on March 9 and run until April 2.
The increasing distrust was again evident on Monday, with the House experiencing interruptions and adjournments as Opposition MPs persisted in their demand for Rahul Gandhi to be allowed to speak.
This tension follows a heated confrontation last week, which allegedly prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cancel his intended address in the Lok Sabha due to concerns about disorder.
During last week's sessions, the Speaker denied Rahul Gandhi permission to reference excerpts from an unpublished work by former Army chief General M.M. Naravane, which is reportedly connected to the border standoff with China in Ladakh in 2020.
The Opposition insisted that Gandhi should be allowed to speak, while senior BJP leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah, voiced strong objections. The Speaker supported the ruling party's stance, resulting in further protests and disruptions within the House.