Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Photo Credit: X/@ombirlakota Via ANI
Two days before the Lok Sabha is set to take up an opposition-led motion seeking his removal, Speaker Om Birla on Saturday (March 7, 2026) received support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said Mr Birla was fully committed to the Constitution and deeply committed to parliamentary traditions.
“Om Birla ji is not only an outstanding Member of Parliament but also a remarkable Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He is fully committed to the Constitution and deeply committed to parliamentary traditions,” Mr Modi said at the foundation stone laying ceremony at the Kota airport. Mr. Birla is the MP from Kota.
First work order
When the Lok Sabha convenes for the second part of the budget session on Monday (March 9, 2026), its first order of business is the debate on the Speaker’s impeachment motion. The motion, supported by 118 opposition MPs, lists grievances including the suspension of members and limited opportunities to speak. The Trinamool Congress, which had earlier said the proposal should not be “rushed”, also extended its support to it on Saturday (March 7) morning.
Addressing the Kota ceremony via video conference, the Prime Minister said Mr. Birla stood above party and opposition and epitomized neutrality.
“When I see him in the House of Representatives, I often feel that his role as chairman may have been influenced by coming from the city of education. He leads like a proper head of the family, takes everyone with him. He respects the feelings and demands of all deputies. He is the chairman who naturally respects deputies the most,” he said.
The prime minister said Mr Birla handles “everything with dignity, never offends anyone, patiently endures harsh words”, even if “some arrogant and disruptive individuals occasionally disturb”.
“He handles everything with dignity, never insults anyone, patiently endures harsh words and always smiles warmly. Perhaps that is why he is universally admired in the Chamber,” Modi added.
BJP, Congress whips
Both the BJP and the Congress have issued a whip to their members directing them to be present in the House from March 9 to 11, when the Lok Sabha is scheduled to debate the bill.
The opposition filed a no-confidence motion against Mr. Birla on February 10 after he did not allow opposition leader Rahul Gandhi to quote or speak about the unpublished memoirs of former Indian army chief General (retired) MM Naravane.
When the Congress moved the motion, the Trinamool said it would like to wait a few days to give the Speaker time to reconsider the issues. However, party sources said on Saturday (March 7) that Trinamool MPs in both houses will support the motion when it comes up for discussion. Mr. Birla abstained from presiding over the session after the Lok Sabha Secretariat admitted the no-confidence motion against him.
Published – March 7, 2026 7:31 PM IST
