New Delhi, February 11, 2026 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has decided not to preside over the proceedings of the Lower House of Parliament until the resolution moved by opposition parties seeking his removal is disposed of, a development that has added fresh turbulence to the ongoing Budget session. The move follows the submission of a no-confidence notice by a large number of opposition MPs, who accuse the Speaker of exercising his office in a partisan manner and denying key opposition members opportunities to participate in debates.
The notice under Article 94(c) of the Constitution, signed by over a hundred Members of Parliament representing parties including the Congress, Samajwadi Party and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, was handed to the Lok Sabha Secretary General. It alleges that the Speaker repeatedly refused to allow the Leader of the Opposition to speak during crucial debates and ordered the suspension of several opposition members, prompting the motion for his removal.
While constitutional provisions bar the Speaker or Deputy Speaker from presiding over sittings when a resolution for their removal is under consideration, Birla’s choice to refrain from attending the proceedings goes beyond that requirement, with sources characterising it as a moral decision pending resolution of the petition. He has also asked the Lok Sabha Secretariat to examine the notice and process it according to established parliamentary rules.
Opposition leaders have framed the no-confidence move as a defence of democratic norms and fair conduct in the House, while government supporters have described it as politically motivated. The resolution is expected to be taken up for discussion when Parliament reconvenes after its scheduled recess in March, with procedural thresholds needing to be met before debate can begin.
