What Happened
- Opposition parties announced plans to introduce a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla amid ongoing disruptions in Parliament during the Budget session.
- The turmoil arose during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, with the Opposition alleging that the Speaker consistently denied speaking opportunities to its MPs, particularly the Leader of Opposition.
- A total of 119 MPs signed the motion notice, exceeding the procedural requirement of 50 members.
- TMC refused to support the Opposition's motion, creating a split in the broader opposition bloc.
- The disruptions coincided with discussions on the Union Budget, affecting the legislative calendar.
Static Topic Bridges
No-Confidence Motion vs. Removal Resolution: Key Procedural Distinctions
Indian parliamentary procedure distinguishes between a no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers and a removal resolution against the Speaker. Though commonly referred to as a "no-confidence motion against the Speaker," technically, it is a resolution for removal under Article 94(c).
- No-Confidence Motion Against Government (Rule 198): Requires only a simple majority (majority of members present and voting) to pass. It is moved against the Council of Ministers collectively. If passed, the entire government must resign under Article 75(3). It requires support of 50 members for introduction.
- Removal Resolution Against Speaker (Article 94(c)): Requires an effective majority (majority of all then members of the House). It targets only the Speaker individually. A 14-day advance notice is mandatory.
- Censure Motion: Expresses disapproval of the government's policy on a specific matter. Unlike a no-confidence motion, the government need not resign even if it passes. Specific reasons must be stated.
- Adjournment Motion: Draws attention to a recent matter of urgent public importance. Requires support of 50 members. Carries an element of censure but does not require the government to resign.
| Feature | No-Confidence (Govt) | Removal (Speaker) | Censure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Constitutional basis | Article 75(3) | Article 94(c) | Convention |
| Majority required | Simple majority | Effective majority | Simple majority |
| Notice period | None specified | 14 days mandatory | None specified |
| Consequence if passed | Government must resign | Speaker removed | No legal consequence |
| Reasons required | No | No | Yes |
Connection to this news: The Opposition's motion against Speaker Birla is technically a removal resolution under Article 94(c), not a no-confidence motion in the strict procedural sense. The effective majority requirement (272 in a 543-member House) makes success extremely difficult when the ruling coalition commands a majority.
Historical Precedents: Speaker Removal Attempts in India
No Lok Sabha Speaker has ever been removed through the constitutional process. All three prior attempts failed, establishing an unbroken precedent of the Chair's resilience against removal.
- 1954 -- G.V. Mavalankar (1st Lok Sabha): Socialist leader Vigneshwar Misir and 21 other MPs moved a resolution alleging lack of impartiality. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru defended the dignity of the Chair. The motion was overwhelmingly rejected.
- 1966 -- Sardar Hukam Singh (3rd Lok Sabha): The resolution could not secure the mandatory support of 50 members required for initiation, and thus was never debated.
- 1987 -- Balram Jakhar (8th Lok Sabha): The motion was formally moved but negated by the House through a vote.
- 2026 -- Om Birla (18th Lok Sabha): 119 MPs signed the notice. The motion is scheduled for discussion on March 9, 2026. The Speaker stepped aside from presiding on "moral grounds" pending resolution.
- Comparative note: In the United Kingdom, no Speaker of the House of Commons has been removed since 1695 (Sir John Trevor, removed for corruption). The last contested Speaker election was in 2009 when Speaker Michael Martin resigned under pressure.
Connection to this news: The current motion against Speaker Birla is the first in nearly four decades and only the fourth in India's parliamentary history. The 119 signatories significantly exceed the 50-member threshold for introduction, but the effective majority requirement of 272 votes makes passage unlikely given current House arithmetic.
Role of the Speaker During Budget Session
The Budget session is the most critical legislative period in the parliamentary calendar, and the Speaker's role in managing proceedings is particularly significant.
- The Budget session is typically held in two parts: Part I (February-March) covers the President's Address, Motion of Thanks, and presentation of the Union Budget. Part II (March-May) covers the discussion and passing of Demands for Grants and the Finance Bill.
- Article 112 mandates that the Annual Financial Statement (Budget) be laid before Parliament.
- The Speaker decides the time allocated to each party for Budget debates based on party strength.
- Guillotine: On the last allotted day for the discussion on Demands for Grants, the Speaker puts all outstanding Demands to vote without discussion -- a critical power that can affect which ministries face parliamentary scrutiny.
- Disruptions during the Budget session are particularly consequential because they can prevent scrutiny of government expenditure, which is Parliament's core financial accountability function.
- Cut Motions -- Disapproval Cut, Economy Cut, and Token Cut -- are key tools available to the opposition to challenge specific budget allocations, but they can only be exercised if the House functions smoothly.
Connection to this news: The no-confidence motion against the Speaker has emerged during the Budget session, when Parliament's financial oversight function is at its peak. The disruptions and the Speaker stepping aside risk affecting the quality of Budget scrutiny and debate on government expenditure.
Key Facts & Data
- No Lok Sabha Speaker has ever been removed through a resolution in India's parliamentary history.
- Three prior attempts: 1954 (Mavalankar), 1966 (Hukam Singh), 1987 (Jakhar) -- all failed.
- The current motion has 119 signatories, well above the 50-member threshold for introduction.
- Removal requires an effective majority: at least 272 votes in a 543-member House.
- A mandatory 14-day notice to the Secretary-General is required before the resolution can be moved.
- The Speaker has voluntarily stepped aside from presiding until the motion is resolved.
- TMC has refused to support the motion, fracturing the opposition front.
- The motion is scheduled for discussion on March 9, 2026.
- Budget session Part I typically runs from February to March; Part II from March to May.