By: The Trek News Desk
The second phase of Parliament’s Budget Session will commence on March 9, and the Lok Sabha is set to take up the no-confidence motion against the Speaker on the very first day. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that the motion moved by the Opposition against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will be discussed and put to a vote on the same day.
Rijiju stated that, as per parliamentary convention, a motion seeking the removal of the Speaker must be taken up at the earliest opportunity once the House reconvenes. He added that a detailed debate will precede the voting process on March 9. The minister also cautioned that if Opposition members choose to abstain from the discussion, it would be politically disadvantageous for them.
The Budget Session initially began on January 28 with the President’s address to a joint sitting of Parliament and was adjourned on February 12 after the presentation of the Union Budget on February 1. The second leg will now run from March 9 to April 2.
Rijiju noted that the upcoming phase of the session carries added political significance as Assembly elections are scheduled in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry during the same period.
According to the minister, the government plans to introduce several important pieces of legislation during the second phase. He hinted at the introduction of one “very important” and “critical” Bill, but refrained from disclosing details at this stage. Rijiju emphasised that the government is determined to ensure the passage of its legislative agenda.
On the possibility of introducing a Bill on simultaneous elections, he clarified that no final decision has been taken yet, as the parliamentary committee examining the matter has not submitted its report.
Rijiju further informed that the Lok Sabha will take up discussions on the demands for grants of five ministries, while the Rajya Sabha will deliberate on the functioning of five other ministries. He warned that if the Opposition continues disruptions similar to those witnessed in the first phase, the government may resort to the ‘guillotine’ procedure to pass the demands without detailed discussion.
The first leg of the Budget Session saw repeated disruptions, which prevented Prime Minister Narendra Modi from replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.
The Speaker had claimed that certain Opposition members might attempt inappropriate actions near the Prime Minister’s seat, leading to advice that he refrain from attending the House at that time. The Opposition strongly denied these allegations. Subsequently, eight Opposition MPs were suspended for the remainder of the session due to unruly conduct.
With the no-confidence motion scheduled for debate and voting on March 9, political activity is expected to intensify both inside and outside Parliament in the coming weeks.
Source: News Agencies
