No-Confidence Motion Against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to be Taken Up on March 9; Government Signals Strong Strategy to Defeat Opposition Move

New Delhi: The political temperature in Parliament is set to rise as the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is likely to be debated and put to vote on March 9, the first day of the second phase of the Budget Session.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday stated that the government intends to take up the motion immediately and settle the matter before proceeding with its legislative agenda for the session. Rijiju asserted that the Opposition’s attempt to remove the Speaker over allegations of bias is unlikely to succeed.

“On March 9, we will debate the no-confidence motion brought against the Speaker in the Lok Sabha. After the debate, voting will take place,” Rijiju told The Times of India.

NDA Confident of Numbers in the House

According to Rijiju, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoys a comfortable position in the 542-member Lok Sabha with 293 MPs, and is also expected to receive support from other members who may not have formally aligned with the ruling coalition on this issue.

He maintained that the Opposition’s move appears politically motivated and is unlikely to gather the numbers required to remove the Speaker from office.

Government Wants Quick Closure

Official sources indicated that the government is keen to dispose of the motion swiftly so that Speaker Om Birla can resume chairing proceedings during the crucial Budget Session without prolonged disruption.

The government’s decision to send Birla to Bangladesh for the swearing-in ceremony of BNP leader Tariq Rahman as Prime Minister on February 17 is also being viewed in political circles as a strong signal of the Centre’s backing for the Speaker.

Opposition Working on Last-Minute Mobilisation

Meanwhile, the Opposition is expected to intensify efforts to consolidate support ahead of the vote. Congress is reportedly trying to persuade parties such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to back the motion.

Sources suggest Congress has attempted to strike a political bargain by offering support for a proposal to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a move that may appeal to TMC, which has been raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal.

With both sides gearing up for a high-stakes showdown, March 9 is likely to witness sharp exchanges in the Lok Sabha as the Speaker’s neutrality and parliamentary conduct come under intense political scrutiny.