LS adjourned till 2:00pm after opposition brings no-confidence against Speaker
What's the story
The opposition has brought a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who is in Chair, said 10 hours have been allotted for debate before adjourning the house till 2:00pm. While bringing the resolution, Congress's Mohammad Jawed said the speaker has "ceased to maintain...impartial attitude necessary to command the confidence of all sections of the House."
Motion
Amit Shah may respond to the debate
The Lok Sabha failed to take up the resolution on Monday, when the second session of the Budget started, due to repeated adjournments as opposition members demanded a discussion on the Middle East crisis. While the Constitution gives the Speaker the right to defend himself, ANI reported that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would respond to the debate on the resolution against Birla.
Birla
Birla can defend himself
Birla can defend himself during the discussion but cannot chair proceedings on this matter. He can sit among the treasury benches during the discussion. Unlike other members, he doesn't have a "division number" for automated voting and will have to use a slip if the resolution goes to vote. Birla has not chaired the House since 118 opposition MPs gave notice on the motion.
Issue
Why motion was moved
The proposed motion questioned Birla's conduct in denying the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, 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."