Lok Sabha has resumed discussion on Opposition’s resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. Participating in the discussion, Ravi Shankar Prasad of BJP said, the opposition has brought this resolution to satisfy the ego of some leaders of opposition parties.
He said, leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi should be careful about his words, when he speaks abroad. Mr Prasad alleged that Mr Gandhi makes remarks against India’s Constitution, Parliament, and the Election Commission. He said, Leader of opposition is part of the House but the conduct of leader of opposition is equally responsible. Mr Prasad said that in the past 72 years, a debate on a no-confidence motion against the Speaker has taken place only twice. He said, the position of the Speaker is a very important one.
Responding to Mr Prasad in the House, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said that he was stopped from speaking in the House on multiple occasions. He said the House does not belong to one party but to the entire country.
K C Venugopal of Congress said, the resolution is related to the fundamental principle of democracy and to protect the parliamentary democracy in the country. He alleged that whenever the opposition member stands to speak, mic is not allowed, as this is the only window to speak something. He said, Parliament is a forum to debate and discuss but the speaker does not give the opportunity to the opposition to raise the matter which is important to the country.
Anand Bhadauria of the Samajwadi Party said that the opposition parties have brought this resolution to protect the dignity of the Chair of the Lok Sabha. He said, the Speaker has given time to opposition members to speak, but at the same time, Mr Birla tried to suppress the voice of Leader of the Opposition in the House.
Anurag Singh Thakur of BJP said that during the discussion, most of the MPs praised Om Birla and acknowledged that he had given them the opportunity to speak. He said that leaders of opposition parties, especially the Congress, behaved improperly with the Speaker when they went to his office. Mr Thakur however, said that the Speaker did not take any action about their behaviour. Mr. Thakur said that during the discussion in the Lok Sabha, the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi violated the rules. He alleged that Mr. Gandhi considers himself above the rules and the law. He added that the House functions on the established norms. Mr Thakur said, this resolution is not against the speaker but this is against the discipline, procedure and equality.
Congress MP Dr Mohammad Jawed had moved the resolution yesterday.
He has alleged that Speaker Om Birla disallowed the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and other opposition leaders from putting forth their views in the House and made unwarranted allegations against women MPs of the Opposition. Mr Jawed also alleged that Mr Birla failed to maintain the impartiality needed to command the confidence of all sections of the House.
