New Delhi: A no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was defeated on Wednesday following a stormy debate in the Lok Sabha marked by sharp exchanges, slogan-shouting and repeated disruptions.
The motion, which accused the Speaker of partisan functioning, was rejected through a voice vote amid loud protests from Opposition members. The result was largely anticipated, given the comfortable majority enjoyed by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the House.
No-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla rejected in the Lok Sabha…
Opposition ko unki aukat yaad dila diya gaya…pic.twitter.com/MKOucphPXu
— Mr Sinha (@Mrsinha) March 11, 2026
Heated Exchanges in the House
Tensions escalated when Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a dig at Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi while defending the Speaker against allegations of bias.
“Sir, they are talking about conduct. When their supreme leader himself winks, hugs the Prime Minister and blows a flying kiss, it shows he is provoking,” Shah remarked, triggering immediate protests from Opposition MPs.
Several members rose from their seats, accusing the Home Minister of using “unparliamentary language.” Opposition MPs rushed to the Well of the House and raised slogans, briefly disrupting proceedings.
Motion Rejected Amid Uproar
Amid the chaos, the session’s presiding officer Jagdambika Pal conducted a voice vote, leading to the defeat of the motion before adjourning the House.
The Opposition had moved the motion alleging that Speaker Birla failed to maintain the neutrality expected of the constitutional office and had repeatedly favoured the ruling side during parliamentary proceedings.
Opposition Defends Move
Initiating the debate, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the move was not a personal attack but an attempt to uphold the dignity and neutrality of Parliament.
“This motion is our responsibility to protect the dignity of the House, not a personal attack on the Speaker,” Gogoi said.
Opposition leaders also cited recent decisions during the Budget Session, including the refusal to allow Rahul Gandhi to read passages from an unpublished book by former Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane and the suspension of eight Opposition MPs for the remainder of the session.
Government Hits Back
Responding to the criticism, Amit Shah strongly defended the Speaker and accused the Opposition of undermining the authority of a constitutional office.
“When the Lok Sabha Speaker was elected, leaders from both sides supported him. Differences may exist over decisions, but the Speaker’s ruling is final,” Shah said.
He also claimed that the Speaker’s office had recently faced security concerns due to aggressive conduct by some MPs.
Numbers Clearly Favoured the Government
The Opposition bloc currently has around 238 MPs in the Lok Sabha, including 99 from the Congress. In contrast, the NDA commands the support of about 293 MPs, including 240 from the BJP along with allies such as the JD(U) and TDP.
With the numbers stacked against it, the Opposition’s move was widely seen as a symbolic step aimed at formally recording its protest and concerns in Parliament rather than a realistic attempt to unseat the Speaker.
