Opposition Move to Remove Lok Sabha Speaker

Opposition parties of the INDIA bloc are considering moving a resolution for the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging partisan conduct amid repeated disruptions, suspensions of MPs.

Reason Behind the Proposed Resolution

• Partisan Functioning: Opposition leaders accused the Speaker of “acting in a partisan manner” and denying the Leader of Opposition, the opportunity to speak during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
• MP Suspensions: The move follows the suspension of eight Opposition MPs from the Lok Sabha.
• Allegations Against Women MPs: The Opposition objected to “unsubstantiated” charges made against women Congress MPs.

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About the Speaker of the Lok Sabha

• The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, responsible for regulating its day-to-day functioning.
• The Speaker holds a constitutional office, functioning under the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
• The Speaker’s salary and allowances are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, and are not voted upon by Parliament.

Election and Tenure of Speaker

• Eligibility: No special qualifications, except that the Speaker must be a member of the Lok Sabha.
• Election Process: The Speaker is elected by a simple majority of members present and voting.
• The President fixes the election date, which is held soon after the first sitting of the new Lok Sabha
• Convention:
  • Usually elected from the ruling party after informal consultations with opposition parties.
  • This convention helps ensure impartiality and acceptance across party lines
• Tenure:
  • Duration: The Speaker normally remains in office for the full life of the Lok Sabha.
  • Dissolution of Lok Sabha: Even after the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Speaker continues in office until the first meeting of the new House.

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Removal of the Speaker

• Grounds for Removal:
  • Ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
  • Resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker.
  • Removed by a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha
• Procedure:
  • The Speaker can be removed by a resolution passed by the Lok Sabha through an effective majority.
  • A removal motion requires 14 days’ advance notice and support of at least 50 members.
  • Article 96: During consideration of removal, the Speaker cannot preside, but may participate and vote normally (except in case of a tie).

Historical Instances of Removal Resolutions

• First Instance: G.V. Mavalankar (1954); During the First Lok Sabha.
  • The resolution was defeated, as the ruling party had the required majority.
• Second Instance: Balram Jakhar (1987): During the Eighth Lok Sabha.
  • The motion was moved during the Bofors scandal, which had severely affected the Rajiv Gandhi government.
  • The resolution was defeated, as the government enjoyed a single-party majority

Comparison: Indian Speaker vs British Speaker

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Political Significance of Such Motions

• Symbolic Nature: These resolutions function primarily as a political statement rather than a realistic attempt at removal.
• Opposition Strategy: They allow the Opposition to highlight alleged institutional bias and “punch above its numbers” in parliamentary politics.
• Democratic Function: Such devices underline the layered nature of democratic politics, where procedural tools are used to register dissent even without numerical strength.

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