Trinamool Congress refuses to sign resolution for Lok Sabha Speaker’s removal

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) did not join other Opposition parties in signing the resolution seeking the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. While agreeing with the objective, the party’s national general secretary and Lok Sabha leader Abhishek Banerjee argued for an alternate path of “restraint” and a “constructive and calibrative” approach.

Though TMC appeared reluctant to resort immediately to the “last option” of moving for the removal of the Speaker, it expressed no such hesitation in pursuing an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. In the CEC’s case, Mr. Banerjee said, all avenues had been “explored and exhausted.”

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Mr. Banerjee said the party had “no problem signing the no‑confidence motion against the Speaker,” but insisted on first sending a letter outlining the Opposition’s grievances. “Let it be incumbent on the Speaker to act on the four grievances. And if he doesn’t act, then we can unitedly move a no-confidence motion,” he said. Minutes after his remarks, Congress leaders met Lok Sabha Secretary-General Utpal Kumar Singh to submit the resolution seeking Mr. Birla’s removal under Article 94(c) of the Constitution.

The TMC, Mr. Banerjee said, had already conveyed its position to the Congress and other Opposition partners. When asked whether the Congress had jumped the gun by ignoring this suggestion, he replied, “We are more tolerant… otherwise what is the difference between BJP and us?” Reiterating the party’s preference for restraint, he added, “Our approach has always been constructive and calibrated. Instead of trying to flex muscles, we want to give an opportunity to the Chair. If our issues are not addressed in three days, we can always move an impeachment motion. There is no place for ambiguity or doubt. Make no mistake.”

He also criticised the Union government, holding it directly responsible for the dysfunctional functioning of the Lok Sabha. “We want the House to function properly, but it appears the Union government does not. The House has been adjourned twice, and the Speaker has not come to the House. From 2 p.m. yesterday until 11 a.m. today, the House remained adjourned. If you truly intend to ensure the House functions properly, why would you adjourn it for such a long period?” he asked.

According to sources, the TMC believes pressure should be escalated step by step rather than taking a maximalist position. They also fault the Congress for making unilateral decisions. This stand-off, one MP said, is proving costly for other members who are unable to secure time to speak in the House.

Reflecting his colleagues’ concerns, Mr. Banerjee said, “The people of the country have sent us here to speak on their behalf. But the Union government does not want the House to function. MPs are present to raise questions during Question Hour and articulate people’s demands during Zero Hour, but no one is getting the opportunity because the government does not want these hours to operate.”

On the move against the CEC, Mr. Banerjee said the TMC had run out of options. “We held meetings, staged protests, the Chief Minister wrote six letters, and our delegation met the CEO and the CEC. Over the past three months, we have sent 100–150 letters but received no response. Impeachment is the last resort,” he said.