BJP, Congress Issue Whip To Lok Sabha MPs As Discussion To Remove Speaker Likely To Be Taken Up

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has issued a whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs, directing them to remain present in Parliament on March 9 and 10 as crucial proceedings unfold during the upcoming phase of the Budget session.

The directive comes amid indications that a notice seeking the removal of Om Birla as the Lok Sabha Speaker could be taken up for discussion in the House.

In its instruction to lawmakers, the BJP said several “very important legislative business” items are expected to be taken up.

“All members of the BJP in Lok Sabha are therefore requested to be positively present in the House on both the days and support the government’s stand,” the party said in its directive.

Meanwhile, the opposition Indian National Congress has also issued a three-line whip to its Lok Sabha MPs, asking them to remain present in the House from March 9 to March 11.

Budget Session’s Second Phase Begins

The second phase of Parliament’s Budget session is scheduled to begin on March 9 and will continue until April 2. Political parties often issue whips ahead of significant debates or votes to ensure maximum attendance from their MPs.

Such instructions are routinely used to ensure that lawmakers are present during key legislative discussions and the passage of important bills.

Why the Motion Against Om Birla Was Moved

The developments follow a no-confidence notice submitted by the opposition last month seeking the removal of Om Birla as Speaker.

The notice, signed by 118 MPs, accuses him of acting in a partisan manner while presiding over the House. It is expected to come up for discussion once Parliament reconvenes for the second phase of the Budget session.

Under parliamentary rules, Birla is unlikely to chair the Lok Sabha proceedings until the motion is debated and decided. In fact, the Kota MP stopped presiding over House proceedings on the day the notice was submitted in February.

According to reports, he is expected to sit among the MPs in the House when the session resumes. As per established procedures, Birla will also be given an opportunity to defend himself when the motion is discussed.

Tensions After Stormy First Phase

The first phase of the Budget session witnessed repeated disruptions in the Lok Sabha. The Congress had accused the Speaker of preventing Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, from speaking in the House.

The situation escalated further after the suspension of eight Congress MPs, intensifying the standoff between the government and the opposition.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh defended the opposition’s decision to bring the motion, saying it was well within democratic norms.

“These are democratic instruments, instruments of parliamentary democracy. The opposition has every right. We will have a debate, and let’s see what happens after that,” he said.

Ramesh added that the opposition had cited specific examples of what it described as partisan conduct by the Speaker, while accusing the government of making unfounded allegations against opposition members.