Parliament braces for Birla storm
The second half of the Budget Session of Parliament is set for a stormy start on Monday with a resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla, the controversy over President Droupadi Murmu’s protocol breach in West Bengal and hike in LPG prices and the ongoing West Asia conflict.
The outcome of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound West Bengal, which led to the deletion of nearly 60 lakh votes, is also expected to cast its shadow on Parliamentary proceedings beginning Monday.
The resolution against the Speaker is the only item listed in the Lok Sabha business of the day. The numbers are heavily stacked in favour of the Government, which will ensure that the resolution is defeated. In the past, three Lok Sabha speakers — GV Mavlankar (1954), Hukam Singh (1966) and Balram Jakhar (1987) — have faced no-confidence motions in the past, which were negated.
The no-confidence resolution against Birla was given by several Opposition leaders who alleged that he acted in a “blatantly partisan” manner in the House. They had also accused the speaker of making false claims against the Congress members in the row surrounding the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.
Birla had recused himself from the proceedings of the House from the date of submission of the notice, with the Lok Sabha secretariat saying he would return only after the disposal of the agenda.
Both the ruling BJP and the principal Opposition Congress have issued a whip to their respective Lok Sabha MPs to be present in the House when the issue comes up for consideration. The Congress has called for a debate on the notice given by 118 MPs Trinamool Congress has also said that it would support the resolution against Birla.On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi backed Birla, saying he had taken all Parliamentarians along and was committed to the principles of the Constitution and Parliamentary democracy.
The Lok Sabha may not take up the Question Hour between 11 am and 12 noon on Monday, as it may get adjourned to pay respect to sitting member from Shillong Ricky Syngkon who passed away on February 19.
Apart from the no-trust notice, the US-Israel strikes on Iran and growing tensions in West Asia that have led to disruption in crude oil supplies and escalation in prices are also likely to come up during the session. The opposition is expected to question the Government’s policy on the matter.
