Speaking in support of the No Confidence Motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 12 March in the Lok Sabha, CPI(ML) MP Raja Ram Singh questioned where the Speaker was when communal abuse rang out inside Parliament. “When a BJP MP hurled derogatory remarks, mocked secular values, and insulted a fellow MP, the Chair remained silent,” he said. Yet, the same Speaker loses no time in suspending Opposition MPs simply for demanding answers from the government.
He further added that after the BJP failed to cross the 400-mark in the Lok Sabha, the party wanted a Speaker who would only follow the dictates of the ruling regime and its agenda, rather than uphold parliamentary and constitutional responsibility. “We have seen this Speaker repeatedly refuse to perform his duties when crises arose and abdicate his responsibility towards parliamentary democracy,” Raja Ram Singh said.
The INDIA Bloc, along with opposition parties, moved the No Confidence Motion against the Speaker for acting in a partial manner, particularly in relation to the suspension of members and the limitation of speaking time for opposition leaders. The motion was defeated following a voice vote.
