The Congress has formally submitted a notice seeking a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, marking a sharp escalation in the confrontation between the Opposition and the treasury benches during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament.
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Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the notice was submitted to the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha at 1:14 pm under Rule 94C of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. The proposal reportedly carries the signatures of around 118 Members of Parliament.
Congress leaders said the number of signatories reflected broad Opposition backing and stemmed from long-standing concerns over the functioning of the House, including allegations of bias, repeated disruptions, and denial of adequate speaking time to Opposition MPs.
According to party sources, the move was taken after multiple attempts to raise issues of public importance were allegedly curtailed during the session.
Rahul Gandhi does not sign notice
Notably, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has not signed the no-confidence notice.
Congress sources said it would be institutionally inappropriate for the Leader of the Opposition to be a signatory to a motion against the Speaker. The decision, they said, was guided by respect for parliamentary dignity and long-standing democratic conventions, even as the party proceeded with the notice.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore described the move as an “extraordinary step” taken under “extraordinary circumstances.”
In a post on X, Tagore said the Opposition continued to uphold constitutional propriety and maintained personal regard for the Speaker, but expressed anguish over what he termed the consistent denial of opportunities for Opposition members to raise pressing public issues.
He added that the decision followed years of accumulated grievances, underscoring the seriousness of the concerns being raised.
BJP points to error in notice
Meanwhile, the BJP flagged what it described as a factual error in the notice submitted by the Opposition.
According to BJP leaders, the document incorrectly mentioned the year as 2025 instead of the current year, raising questions over the accuracy of the submission. They also confirmed that the notice carried 118 MPs’ signatures.
The development comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Parliament. Earlier, women MPs from the BJP had written to Speaker Om Birla, seeking the strictest possible action against Opposition members over the February 4, 2026, ruckus in the Lok Sabha.
The letter accused Opposition MPs of entering the well of the House, climbing the Speaker’s table, and disrupting proceedings, allegations that have further sharpened political tempers during the session.
