New Delhi, India (11 Feb 2026) – Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has taken the extraordinary step of not attending the Lower House sessions of Parliament amid a brewing political confrontation with the Opposition, which has moved a no‑confidence (or no‑trust) motion seeking his removal.
What Happened
- A no‑confidence motion against Om Birla was formally submitted by opposition Members of Parliament under Article 94(c) of the Constitution, a provision that allows the Lok Sabha to remove its Speaker by a resolution passed by a majority of all current members.
- The notice supporting the motion carries signatures of around 120 opposition MPs from parties including the Congress, Samajwadi Party and DMK.
- Some opposition leaders allege that Birla acted in a partisan manner — including denying Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other leaders the opportunity to speak and suspending several opposition members during recent proceedings.
Om Birla’s Response
Faced with the motion, Om Birla has opted not to attend Lok Sabha proceedings until the notice is addressed and decided by the House. This decision goes beyond procedural norms: while parliamentary rules already prevent the Speaker from presiding over sittings when a removal resolution is under consideration, Birla’s choice extends to staying away from attending altogether.
According to sources, he has taken this stance on moral grounds — stating he will not sit on the Speaker’s chair until the motion is resolved and will not be swayed even if leaders from either the government or Opposition try to persuade him to return.
When Could It Be Taken Up
Parliament officials indicate the motion is most likely to be taken up for discussion on March 9, the first day of the second part of the ongoing Budget Session. For it to be admitted for debate, at least 50 MPs must express support when it’s called in the House.
Opposition Dynamics
Although the motion has broad backing, there are signs of strategical differences within the Opposition bloc. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), for instance, has indicated it will not immediately sign the notice, calling instead for a prior dialogue with the Speaker to raise grievances.
Broader Context
The no‑confidence motion comes against the backdrop of continuing tensions in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session, with disputes over speaking time, parliamentary decorum and the suspension of MPs contributing to a logjam in proceedings before the latest escalation.
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