Amit Shah to address LS on no-confidence motion against Speaker
What's the story
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will speak in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, during a debate over a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla. The resolution was introduced by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and has been backed by over 50 MPs. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the House on Tuesday, allowed the motion and allotted a 10-hour debate period.
Allegations
Debate on no-confidence motion began Tuesday
The motion has been signed by 118 opposition MPs, who accuse the Speaker of "partisan behavior." The debate on the motion started Tuesday with procedural objections from AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP KC Venugopal. They questioned how a member was chosen to preside over the debate from the panel of Chairpersons. However, BJP leaders dismissed these objections as "baseless."
Defense
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi defended the motion
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi defended the motion, saying it was to protect Parliament's dignity, not a personal vendetta. He alleged Birla had stopped being impartial and accused Birla of undermining opposition members' rights. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, in his address, targeted Rahul Gandhi, saying there's "no cure" if one thinks they're above the Speaker.
Suggestion
Rijiju suggested Priyanka Gandhi could have been chosen
Rijiju also suggested Priyanka Gandhi Vadra could have been chosen as the Congress leader in the House. Vadra hit back at Rijiju, saying her brother Rahul fearlessly attacks the government on people's issues. She said, "There is only one person in the country who has not bowed down before them in the last 12 years."
Reason
What opposition MPs are arguing
The proposed motion questioned Birla's conduct in denying the Leader of the Opposition and other leaders the right to speak, as well as bringing "unfounded allegations against women MPs belonging to the Opposition." It also referred to the suspension of opposition MPs for an entire session for raising issues of "public concern and not rebuking ruling party members for making wholly objectionable...remarks against former PMs." Birla can defend himself during the discussion but cannot chair proceedings on this matter.