PM endorses Speaker Om Birla as Lok Sabha gears up to debate no-confidence motion against him

Two days before the Lok Sabha is set to take up an Opposition-led motion seeking his removal, Speaker Om Birla on Saturday (March 7, 2026) got an endorsement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said Mr. Birla was fully dedicated to the Constitution and deeply committed to Parliamentary traditions.

“Om Birla ji is not only an excellent Member of Parliament but also a remarkable Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He is fully dedicated to the Constitution and deeply committed to parliamentary traditions,” Mr. Modi said at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Kota airport. Mr. Birla is a Member of Parliament from Kota.

First order of business

When the Lok Sabha convenes on Monday (March 9, 2026) for the second leg of the Budget session, its first order of business is the debate on the motion of removal against the Speaker. The motion, backed by 118 Opposition MPs, cites grievances, including the suspension of members and restricted speaking opportunities. The Trinamool Congress, which had earlier said the motion should not be “rushed”, has also extended support for it on Saturday (March 7) morning.

The Prime Minister, who addressed the Kota ceremony through video-conferencing, said Mr. Birla stands above the party and Opposition, embodying neutrality.

“When I see him in the House, I often feel that perhaps coming from the city of education has influenced his role as Speaker. He leads like a good head of the family, taking everyone along. He respects the feelings and requests of all Members of Parliament. He is a Speaker who naturally honours MPs the most,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that Mr. Birla manages “everything with dignity, never insulting anyone, patiently enduring harsh words” even when “some arrogant and disruptive individuals occasionally create disturbances”.

“He manages everything with dignity, never insulting anyone, patiently enduring harsh words, and always smiling with warmth. Perhaps that is one reason why he is universally admired in the House,” Mr. Modi added.

BJP, Congress whips

Both BJP and Congress have issued whips to their members directing them to be present in the House from March 9 to 11 when the Lok Sabha is set to debate the motion.

The Opposition had submitted the notice for a no-confidence motion against Mr. Birla on February 10 after he did not let Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi quote from or speak about former Indian Army chief General (retired) M.M. Naravane’s unpublished memoir.

When the motion was moved by the Congress, the Trinamool had said it would like to wait for a few days to give the Chair time to reconsider the issues. However, on Saturday (March 7), party sources indicated that Trinamool MPs in both Houses will support the motion when it is taken up for discussion. Mr. Birla has kept away from chairing the session after the Lok Sabha Secretariat admitted the notice for no-confidence motion against him.