Opposition's no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla defeated in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha

• No-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla defeated
• 118 Opposition MPs accused Speaker of partisan behaviour
• Amit Shah defended Speaker, sparked protests with remarks

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After two days of intense debate, a no-confidence motion against Lok Speaker Om Birla was defeated on Wednesday.

Concluding the debate, Union Home Minister underlined that the Speaker didn’t belong to the government but all political parties. Shah, reportedly met Om Birla after concluding his address.

Shah said even the Supreme Court couldn’t judge the ruling of the Speaker. Shah said this while speaking during the debate over the motion earlier in the day.

The former BJP president  also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi: “When sessions come, he plans foreign trips. So, how will he speak here from abroad?" asked Shah.

The motion was introduced by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and received the backing of more than 50 MPs, allowing it to be formally taken up for discussion in the House. The resolution against the Speaker has significant support from the Opposition, with 118 Opposition MPs signing the motion, alleging that Om Birla displayed “partisan behaviour” and failed to maintain the impartiality expected from the Speaker’s office.

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding, allowed the motion and allotted 10 hours for debate, urging members to remain focused on the resolution.

Shah's pointed digs at  Gandhi -- sparked an unprecedented stream of protests from the Opposition benches, who accused him of using "unparliamentary language".

"Sir, they are talking about conduct. When their supreme leader himself winks, goes and hugs the Prime Minister, and blows a flying kiss, sir, this shows he's provoking," Shah had said.

Then, amid massive protests and "maafi mango (apologise)" slogans, he said, "Sir, my words... if any of my words are not in line with the parliamentary system, then you can remove them".

The voice vote took place as the raucous slogan-shouting continued.

The numbers were stacked up against the opposition from the beginning - the Opposition has only 238 MPs, of whom 99 are from the Congress and the rest from the Samajwadi Party, DMK, Trinamool Congress, and others.