HM Amit Shah Rebuts Opposition Criticism On Speaker Issue, Points To Past Parliamentary Practices

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. He was participating in a debate on the no-confidence motion submitted against Speaker Om Birla.

He said that several arguments raised by Opposition leaders about parliamentary traditions were not accurate. According to him, their claims about the Deputy Speaker’s appointment do not match past precedents.

The Home Minister stated that there had been three earlier occasions when motions were brought against a Lok Sabha Speaker. On each of those occasions, the proceedings were conducted by the Deputy Speaker.

He also referred to incidents from 1966 and 1987. Shah pointed out that the Deputy Speaker’s post was not vacant during those periods. HM Shah said the Congress government had appointed its own members to hold that position.

HM Shah noted that the Congress currently argues that the Deputy Speaker’s post should be reserved for the Opposition. However, he said historical records indicate that the party itself filled the position with its own members while in power.

Citing earlier examples, HM Shah mentioned that MA Ayyangar served as Deputy Speaker in 1954 and was affiliated with the Congress. He also referred to Krishnamoorthy Rao, who held the same position in 1966 and was likewise a Congress member.

Comments on Speaker Om Birla’s Conduct

The Home Minister compared earlier practices with the current situation involving Speaker Om Birla. He said that in the past, Speakers continued presiding over the House for several days even after motions against them had been submitted.

In contrast, HM Shah said Birla stepped away from the Chair immediately after the notice of the motion was filed and has not presided over the proceedings since then.

HM Shah added that the Bharatiya Janata Party has never participated in moving a no-confidence motion against a Lok Sabha Speaker in the last seventy years.

Opposition parties have accused the Speaker of showing partiality towards the government. They have cited the suspension of several MPs and alleged limitations on speaking time for certain members.

Opposition MPs submitted the no-confidence notice against Speaker Om Birla in February, and reports indicate that more than 100 members supported it.

The motion has been introduced under Article 94 of the Constitution, which deals with the resignation or removal of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Since Independence, no Lok Sabha Speaker has been removed from office. Although three attempts were made in the past to remove a Speaker, none of those efforts succeeded.

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