New Delhi: The debate and voting on the no-confidence motion moved by opposition parties against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will be taken up on March 9, the first day of the second phase of the Budget Session, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Sunday.
Speaking during his visit to Arunachal West, Rijiju confirmed that the motion would be discussed in the Lok Sabha once the House reconvenes after recess. “As per rules, it will be taken up on the first day. There will be a debate followed by a vote,” he said.
Second Phase of Budget Session
The Budget Session of Parliament began with the President’s address to a joint sitting on January 28 and went into recess on February 12. The Union Budget 2026 was presented on February 1. The second phase will run from March 9 to April 2.
Rijiju described the upcoming sittings as “interesting,” stating that several important legislations, including what he termed a “critical” Bill, would be introduced for discussion and passage. However, he declined to reveal details of the proposed legislation.
He added that discussions on the demands for grants of five ministries will take place in the Lok Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha, the functioning of five other ministries will be debated, though not in the form of demands for grants.
The minister cautioned that if disruptions similar to those seen in the first half of the session continue, the government may resort to the “guillotine” procedure to pass financial business without detailed discussion. “If the opposition does not allow the House to function, it will be their loss,” he said.
Political Context Ahead of State Elections
Rijiju noted that the second part of the session coincides with Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
He also pointed out that the Trinamool Congress did not sign the motion seeking the Speaker’s removal and suggested that some smaller parties are reluctant to stall proceedings, particularly in the run-up to elections.
Disruptions Marked First Phase
The first part of the session witnessed repeated disruptions, beginning February 2, after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was not permitted by the Chair to quote excerpts from former Army Chief M. M. Naravane’s unpublished memoir referencing the 2020 India-China standoff.
On February 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unable to reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks amid opposition protests. In an unusual development, the Motion of Thanks was passed the following day by voice vote without the Prime Minister delivering his customary reply, as the Speaker read out the motion during continued sloganeering.
Birla later claimed he had received specific information suggesting some MPs might attempt an “unexpected act” near the Prime Minister’s seat, prompting him to advise Modi not to attend the House. The allegation was denied by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Eight opposition MPs were subsequently suspended for the remainder of the session for unruly conduct.
In a further development, Birla stepped aside from presiding over proceedings hours after the opposition formally submitted the motion seeking his removal, alleging partisan conduct.
The March 9 debate is expected to set the tone for the remainder of the Budget Session.
