New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Lok Sabha will take up the debate and voting on the no-confidence motion moved by opposition parties against Speaker Om Birla on March 9, the first day of the second phase of the Budget Session, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Sunday.
The second part of the session is scheduled to run from March 9 to April 2. Rijiju said the discussion on the motion would be held as per parliamentary rules and a vote would follow the debate.
He described the upcoming phase as “interesting”, noting that the government plans to introduce several important pieces of legislation, including one “critical” Bill. However, he did not disclose details of the proposed legislation.
The Budget Session began on January 28 with the President’s address and went into recess on February 12 after the presentation of the Union Budget on February 1.
Rijiju said that discussions during the second phase would focus on select ministries. The Lok Sabha will take up demands for grants for five ministries, while the Rajya Sabha will hold discussions on the functioning of five ministries.
He cautioned that continued disruptions by opposition parties, similar to those witnessed in the first phase, would be counterproductive. “If the opposition does not allow the House to function, the guillotine will be applied. That will be their loss,” he said.
The minister also pointed out that the session coincides with Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry, which could shape the political atmosphere.
On the possibility of introducing a Bill on simultaneous elections, Rijiju said no decision has been taken as the parliamentary committee examining the proposal has not yet submitted its report.
He also indicated differences within the opposition, noting that the Trinamool Congress did not support the no-confidence motion. According to him, several smaller parties prefer raising their issues rather than stalling proceedings ahead of state elections.
The first phase of the session was marked by repeated disruptions, particularly after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was disallowed from referring to excerpts from a former Army chief’s unpublished memoir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unable to reply to the Motion of Thanks due to protests, and the motion was later passed by voice vote.
Eight opposition members were subsequently suspended for unruly conduct.
The controversy surrounding the Speaker intensified after opposition parties accused him of acting in a partisan manner and submitted a motion seeking his removal. Birla later stepped aside from presiding over the House hours after the notice was submitted.
