The Lok Sabha, on Wednesday, rejected the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla following the voting of the ruling NDA and opposition, after a heated debate in the House.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a speech, attacked the Opposition for bringing a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, calling the move “unfortunate for parliamentary politics” and saying it undermines the traditions and functioning of the House.
He further said that over the past 75 years, both Houses of Parliament have strengthened the foundations of India’s democracy, and questioning the Speaker’s reputation amounts to casting doubt on that deep-rooted democratic foundation.
During his address, Shah also questioned senior Opposition leaders' instances of members tearing papers and throwing them towards the Chair during protests. Shah said such actions weaken parliamentary decorum and make it difficult for the Speaker to conduct proceedings smoothly.
Shah rejected claims that the government suppresses the Opposition’s voice in Parliament. "The Opposition’s voice was truly suppressed during the Emergency, when several opposition leaders were jailed". Shah said.
The Union Home Minister also shared the data of Leader of Opposition i over his attendance record in Parliament, with the Rahul Gandhi’s attendance in the 17th Lok Sabha was around 51 per cent, while the House average stood at about 66 per cent, during the 16th Lok Sabha, Gandhi’s attendance was about 52 per cent compared to the overall average of nearly 80 per cent.
He said, “Rahul Gandhi’s claim that he is not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha is incorrect, he chooses not to participate in debates, and the opportunity to speak depends on members being present and participating in House proceedings”, Shad added.
Shah also alleged that Rahul Gandhi often travels abroad, such as to Germany and Vietnam, during important parliamentary sessions and later claims he was not allowed to speak.
In between the speech, the Lok Sabha witnessed loud protests as Opposition MPs raised slogans as “Amit Shah maafi maango” as the Home Minister read out attendance figures of Rahul Gandhi from the 15th to the 17th Lok Sabha. Amid the protests.
However, the motion was defeated after voting, with the ruling BJP and its allies opposing the resolution.
