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Congress Member of Parliament Mallu Ravi, one of the three legislators initiating a No Confidence Motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, emphasized that Parliament should be a venue for open discussions. In light of the ongoing Budget Session, which is entering its second phase, Ravi accused Speaker Birla of showing bias and obstructing opposition members from expressing their views. “We are introducing a motion to replace the current Speaker. The Leader of the Opposition has been denied the opportunity to speak within Parliament,” Ravi stated, asserting the importance of debate in the legislative body.
In his remarks, Ravi noted that the Opposition’s women MPs had expressed frustrations about their treatment, hinting at tensions surrounding the Prime Minister’s presence in the House. He mentioned that eight opposition MPs had been suspended during the session while attempting to secure their right to speak. “When derogatory remarks are made about former prime ministers, including the first prime minister, no action appears to be forthcoming,” he said.
Ravi further criticized the Speaker for allegedly aligning with the ruling party during discussions on contentious bills, which he believes undermines the integrity of parliamentary democracy. “In moments of debate regarding contentious legislation, the Speaker acts more like a political ally of the ruling party rather than an impartial chair. Our democracy thrives when the opposition is empowered to express its stance, which is currently being undermined,” he added. The No Confidence Motion is supported by a collective of 118 opposition MPs, who contend that Birla has exhibited partisan behavior, notably preventing Rahul Gandhi from speaking in the House.
The motion will be formally presented if permission, known as ‘leave of the House,’ is granted. Congress MPs Mohammad Jawed, Mallu Ravi, and Kodikunnil Suresh are the key proponents of this endeavor. In a cricket analogy, fellow Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat likened the Speaker’s perceived bias to an umpire favoring one side, asserting that a distorted balance leads to an erosion of democratic values. “Issues of public concern get sidelined in the highest temple of democracy. This action reflects a broader sentiment across all opposition factions regarding a lack of fair treatment and adequate speaking time,” Bhagat noted.
Another Congress MP, Pramod Tiwari, explained that the No Confidence Motion was not aimed at overthrowing the government but rather at ensuring the Opposition’s perspectives are articulated in Parliament. “If the motion garners support from over 50 MPs, it will warrant further discussion. This isn’t unprecedented; No Confidence Motions have been raised before, and their purpose is to voice concerns in Parliament,” Tiwari clarified.
The second phase of the Budget Session commenced today and is set to continue until April 2, during which key legislative business will be addressed, including the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2026-27. This session, which initially began on January 28 with a joint address from the President to both Houses, encompasses 30 sittings spread over 65 days. The legislative assembly aims to ensure critical issues are deliberated while maintaining operational order in the immediately forthcoming period.
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