Gupta opposes Opposition’s motion to remove Birla

The Opposition’s move in the Lok Sabha to remove Speaker Om Birla from the post undermined the parliamentary traditions, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said on Monday.

In a letter written to Birla, he asserted that the neutrality of the Chair of the House is central to the parliamentary democracy of the country and urged that the members respect constitutional institutions.

The resolution brought by the opposition parties, seeking the removal of Om Birla as the Lok Sabha Speaker, was defeated by a voice vote last Wednesday.

Gupta, in his letter to Birla, said, “It is deeply saddening that certain opposition parties, driven by narrow political considerations, chose to bring a motion against the incumbent Speaker - an office that stands above partisan politics and is entrusted with safeguarding the rules, traditions and dignity of Parliament.”

Defeat of the motion reaffirmed the confidence of the members in the authority and impartial functioning of the Chair, the Delhi Assembly speaker asserted.