LS to discuss Birla issue on March 9

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday asked the secretariat officials to rectify errors in the Opposition notice for his removal so that it can be listed at the earliest. Lok Sabha sources said four instances of wrong date being mentioned were found, which could have led to the notice being dismissed under the rules.

Officials said the no-confidence motion against the Speaker was likely to be taken up on March 9, when the House reassembles after the recess to examine budgetary proposals. As many as 118 Opposition MPs had signed the notice submitted to Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh on Tuesday afternoon. Later in the day, the opposition withdrew the notice and replaced it with another one correcting the date. Article 94C of the Constitution deals with provisions for the removal of the speaker or the deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha.

The speaker can cast his vote when the motion for his removal is moved in the House but he cannot cast his vote in case of a tie. Further, Article 96 of the Constitution gives the speaker an opportunity to defend himself or herself in the House.

Opposition parties on Tuesday put in motion the process to oust Birla as Lok Sabha speaker, alleging that he had acted in a blatantly partisan manner in the House and prompting him to step aside from chairing the proceedings till the matter is settled.

Congress’ deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, chief whip K Suresh and whip Mohamed Jawed submitted the notice under Article 94C of the Constitution to Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh on behalf of several opposition parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the DMK.