NEW DELHI — The second leg of the Parliament’s Budget session is set for a high-voltage beginning this Monday, March 9, 2026, with a rare and historic resolution for the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla topping the agenda. This move, sponsored by a united front of 118 opposition MPs, marks only the fourth time in India’s democratic history that a sitting Speaker has faced a formal no-confidence motion.
The opposition, led by the Congress and supported by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has alleged that Birla acted in a “blatantly partisan” manner. The charges include making false claims against members of the opposition and reportedly discouraging Prime Minister Narendra Modi from replying to crucial debates in the House. In line with constitutional protocols, Speaker Birla has recused himself from the proceedings until the resolution is disposed of. While the ruling BJP holds a comfortable majority to defeat the motion, both major parties have issued strict whips to their MPs, signaling a day of intense political maneuvering.
Geopolitical Crises and Electoral Rows to Fuel Debate
Beyond the leadership challenge in the Lower House, several external and regional issues are expected to trigger heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches:
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Middle East Tensions: The escalating conflict involving Israel, Iran, and the US is a major flashpoint. The opposition plans to grill the government on its diplomatic stance and the economic impact of crude oil supply disruptions, specifically questioning the reliance on US “waivers” for continued Russian oil imports.
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West Bengal Voter Deletions: The TMC is poised to raise a storm over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, which reportedly led to the removal of nearly 60 lakh names. They allege this is a targeted move ahead of the state’s upcoming polls.
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Presidential Protocol Dispute: Conversely, the BJP is expected to counter-attack by raising the “protocol breach” during President Droupadi Murmu’s recent visit to West Bengal, where state leadership was noticeably absent from her official reception.
The day’s business is expected to commence with a brief adjournment to pay tribute to the late Shillong MP Ricky Syngkon. Following this, the House will pivot exclusively to the resolution against the Speaker. The government also intends to push forward the Electricity Amendment Bill and other pending legislative tasks later in the week. Despite the opposition’s aggressive stance, historical precedents suggest that such motions—much like those against G.V. Mavlankar or Balram Jakhar—are likely to be negatived by the government’s superior numbers in the House.
