The Lok Sabha is taking up an Opposition-backed resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla today. The House agreed to hold a 10-hour discussion on a motion seeking Speaker's removal.
Meanwhile, in Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge termed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process a “fraud”
The second half of Parliament’s Budget Session began on a turbulent note on Monday as Opposition MPs raised slogans in the Rajya Sabha while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed the House on the situation in the Middle East.
The Chair asked Gaurav Gogoi to confine his remarks to the specific charges mentioned in the resolution under discussion in the Lok Sabha.
During his speech, Gogoi referred to attempts by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to raise several issues in the House, including the proposed interim trade agreement between India and the United States.
However, the Chair, Jagadambika Pal, insisted that Gogoi restrict his remarks to the charges listed in the resolution. In response, Gogoi read out the charges again, arguing that his references were relevant to the debate.
Gogoi said Gandhi had sought to speak about the India–US interim trade agreement but was denied an opportunity.
Pal countered that Gandhi had been allotted time but raised the issue without mentioning it in the speech he had submitted to the Speaker in advance.
Continuing his remarks, Gogoi listed other issues that Gandhi had allegedly attempted to raise in the House but was not permitted to discuss. These included controversies surrounding former Army chief M. M. Naravane’s forthcoming book and the Epstein files.
He also claimed that members of the ruling party appeared “visibly uneasy” during Gandhi’s remarks. Pal, however, questioned the reference to the book, asking how it could be cited in the House when it had not yet been published.
The House was later adjourned till 2 pm.
Gaurav Gogoi takes a jibe at Union Minister Kiran Rijiju for interruption, saying if a record is made, Kiran Rijiju would be seen as the minister for maximum disruptions.
This comes after Kiran Rijiju interrupts Gaurav Gogoi while he was speaking.
During the debate, Gogoi alleged that even microphones are being “weaponised” in the House.
He said that despite the INDIA bloc having nearly 200 members in the Lok Sabha, the post of Deputy Speaker remains vacant. He added that the country should know how the House is being run.
Gogoi further said that while members of the Treasury Benches are allowed to speak, Opposition MPs, particularly Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi are often denied the microphone.
Responding to the remarks, Jagannath Pal called the claims “slanders.” However, Gogoi rejected the charge, saying these were not mere allegations but issues raised as part of the resolution under discussion.
He argued that the Opposition is effectively prevented from speaking by being denied access to the microphone.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday questioned the decision to have Jagdambika Pal preside over the Lok Sabha.
Citing parliamentary rules, Gogoi said the Speaker cannot preside when a motion for his removal is under consideration. In such cases, he said, the Speaker appoints a panel of chairpersons, who then decide among themselves who will occupy the Chair. Gogoi asked how it had been determined that Pal would preside.
Intervening, Pal said he had already issued a ruling on the matter, stating that since the office of the Speaker is not vacant, the Speaker’s earlier appointments remain valid and empower him to decide who will preside.
However, Gogoi disputed this reasoning, arguing that if the Speaker has no authority to preside during the resolution, it is unclear how he can exercise the power to decide who will take the Chair.
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday agreed to hold a 10-hour discussion on a motion seeking the removal of Om Birla as Speaker.
Presiding over the House, Pal said Birla had shown “generosity” by pointing out procedural mistakes in the initial notice for the motion and allowing them to be corrected before it was formally moved. He also said that Birla had voluntarily decided not to preside over the House during the debate.
Opposition members objected to these remarks and attempted to raise a point of order, leading to brief noisy scenes in the House.
After a brief protest, the House returned to order and the debate began, with Gaurav Gogoi opening the discussion.
Lok Sabha discusses who can chair House proceedings when resolution seeking removal of Speaker is taken up.
Opposition demanded a person should be specifically appointed to preside Lok Sabha when resolution for removal of Speaker is taken up. However Union Minister Rijiju intervened and said Jagadambika Pal, member of panel of chairpersons, can preside LS when resolution for Speaker's removal is taken up.
Congress MP Mohammed Jawed moves resolution in the Lok Sabha for the removal of Speaker Om Birla.
Lok Sabha reconvenes with BJP MP Jagdambika Pal in the chair.
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Tuesday as opposition members stormed into the Well raising slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission, and protesting against "vote chori".
Despite requests by Sandhya Ray, who was chairing the House proceedings, opposition members continued with sloganeering.
As protests continued, Ray adjourned the House for about 25 minutes till 12 noon.
Leader of the House J.P. Nadda on Tuesday said that the Opposition doesn’t want actual debate inside the House. He slammed the Opposition for raising SIR inside the House even after the discussion on electoral reforms happened.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge termed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process a “fraud” in the Rajya Sabha.
Chairman Radhakrishnan intervened, stating that all members had already been given time to speak during the debate on electoral reforms and that raising the issue again was not appropriate.
Amid the exchange, opposition members displayed placards and raised slogans in the House. The Chairman reminded members that displaying placards inside the House is not permitted.
Responding to demands from some members to speak, the Chair said, “You cannot force the Chair to take political advantage,” reiterating that everyone had been given adequate time during the earlier debate on electoral reforms.
Congress MPs are scheduled to bring in a resolution to move the No-Confidence Motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today.
118 Opposition MPs have signed the motion, alleging “partisan” behaviour by the Speaker after the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, was allegedly not allowed to speak in the House.
Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present a statement on Supplementary Demands for Grants - Second Batch for 2025-26 in both Houses.