What Happened
- Both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress issued a three-line whip to their Lok Sabha MPs, directing them to be present in the House from 9 to 11 March 2026 during the second phase of the Budget Session.
- The Lok Sabha was set to take up a rare resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla, moved by Congress MPs Mohammad Jawed, Kodikunnil Suresh, and Mallu Ravi.
- The notice was signed by 118 opposition MPs from Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, Left parties, and others -- though notably Trinamool Congress did not sign.
- The opposition accused Speaker Birla of acting in a partisan manner, specifically of preventing Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders from speaking in the House.
- The resolution was ultimately defeated by voice vote, with the ruling majority prevailing.
- This was the fourth such attempt in India's parliamentary history, after previous attempts in 1954, 1966, and 1987 -- none of which succeeded.
Static Topic Bridges
Constitutional Provisions for Removal of the Speaker (Article 94)
Under Article 94 of the Constitution, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed through a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the House. This "effective" or "absolute" majority requires more than 50% of the total strength of the House, irrespective of vacancies or absences, making removal deliberately difficult. The Constitution framers intended to insulate the office from frivolous challenges while allowing accountability. Under Article 96, when a removal resolution is under consideration, the Speaker shall not preside but retains the right to participate and speak as a member; the Speaker can vote in the first instance but cannot exercise a casting vote in case of a tie.
- Article 94: Removal by resolution passed by a majority of all then members of the House
- Article 96: Speaker cannot preside during removal proceedings but can participate and vote (first instance only)
- Procedural rules: Rules 200-203 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha
- Notice requirement: At least 14 days' notice; must be supported by at least 2 members; 50 members must stand in support
- Equivalent state provision: Article 179 covers removal of Speaker of State Legislative Assembly
Connection to this news: The motion against Speaker Om Birla tested these constitutional provisions in practice for the fourth time in India's parliamentary history, reaffirming that the high threshold of absolute majority makes removal nearly impossible when the ruling party has a clear majority.
The Whip System in Indian Parliament
A whip in parliamentary practice is a directive issued by a political party to its members to ensure their presence and dictate their voting behaviour during parliamentary proceedings. A three-line whip is the strictest form, with the directive underlined three times, indicating that attendance and compliance are absolutely mandatory. Non-compliance can attract penalties including suspension from the party. The anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule (52nd Amendment, 1985) reinforces the whip system: a member can be disqualified for voting against the party whip, except when at least two-thirds of the party's parliamentary wing splits. The whip system does not apply to a Presidential election.
- One-line whip: Advisory; informs members of a vote
- Two-line whip: Members expected to be present
- Three-line whip: Strictest; mandatory attendance and compliance
- Tenth Schedule (52nd Amendment, 1985): Anti-defection law; defying whip can lead to disqualification
- Exceptions: Whip does not apply to Presidential elections; conscience vote not recognised in India
Connection to this news: Both BJP and Congress issuing three-line whips underscores the political significance of the motion against the Speaker, with each side treating it as a high-stakes test of party discipline and numerical strength in the Lok Sabha.
Role and Independence of the Speaker
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by the House from among its members (Article 93). The office is modelled on the Westminster tradition, where the Speaker is expected to be impartial and non-partisan once elected. In India, however, the Speaker typically retains party membership, leading to recurring criticisms of partisan conduct. The Speaker's powers include: deciding on disqualification under the Tenth Schedule, certifying Money Bills under Article 110, casting a deciding vote in case of a tie, maintaining order during proceedings, and permitting/disallowing adjournment motions and no-confidence motions. The G.V. Mavalankar tradition established post-independence norms of impartiality that successive Speakers have been measured against.
- Article 93: Speaker elected by members of Lok Sabha
- Key powers: Tenth Schedule adjudication, Money Bill certification, casting vote
- Convention: Speaker typically resigns from party (UK tradition) -- not consistently followed in India
- Mavalankar tradition: First Speaker G.V. Mavalankar set benchmarks for impartiality
- Previous no-confidence attempts: 1954 (against Mavalankar), 1966, 1987 -- all unsuccessful
Connection to this news: The opposition's accusation of partisan conduct and the subsequent motion against Speaker Om Birla reflect the ongoing tension between the constitutional expectation of Speaker's impartiality and the political reality of the Speaker belonging to the ruling party.
Key Facts & Data
- Three-line whip issued by both BJP and Congress for 9-11 March 2026
- 118 opposition MPs signed the notice for Speaker's removal
- Congress MPs who moved the resolution: Mohammad Jawed, Kodikunnil Suresh, Mallu Ravi
- Article 94: Removal requires absolute majority (more than 50% of total House strength)
- Article 96: Speaker cannot preside during removal proceedings
- Rules 200-203: Govern procedure for Speaker removal in Lok Sabha
- 14 days' minimum notice required; 50 members must stand in support
- Fourth attempt in history (after 1954, 1966, 1987); all four defeated
- Trinamool Congress notably did not sign the notice