PM backs Speaker Birla amid turmoil
In an interesting note, two-days ahead of the Lok Sabha, taking up a motion of no-confidence moved by the Opposition parties against Speaker Om Birla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described Birla as an outstanding Member of Parliament and “excellent” Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Modi praised Birla for functioning above party lines and carrying everyone along while presiding over the House.
“Om Birla ji is as outstanding a Member of the Parliament, and he is an excellent Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He is fully dedicated to the Constitution, and he maintains complete allegiance to parliamentary procedures. Today, he is not a member of any one side; he is completely above party lines when it comes to ruling side and Opposition,” Modi said during his virtual address at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Kota airport.
In an obvious reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Modi said even when some arrogant, troublemaking “students” from prominent families (bade gharana) come in, who just won’t give up their habit of creating a ruckus, even then, he handles everyone like the head of the House.
“And all our Honourable MPs present in the House, he handles them very well; he greatly respects their feelings and their requests. He is such a speaker who has the nature of giving the utmost respect to the MPs,” he said. Birla is a three-time MP from the Kota-Bundi seat and is serving his second successive term as Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
The debate and subsequently the voting on the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against the Lok Sabha Speaker will be taken up on March 9, when the House reassembles after the recess.
