Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker dismissed

The no-confidence motion brought by Opposition parties against Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, was dismissed by voice vote on Wednesday.
Amid protests and sloganeering by Opposition members demanding an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the House, announced that the no-confidence motion had been defeated.
Pal repeatedly urged Opposition MPs to return to their seats so the motion could be put to vote. However, as the protests continued, he proceeded to seek the sense of the House, and the resolution was rejected by a voice vote. The House was then adjourned for the day.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accusing it of questioning the very foundation of India’s democracy by bringing a no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla.
Shah emphasised that the functioning of the House is based on mutual trust and adherence to rules. He said the Speaker’s responsibility is to act as a neutral custodian of the House.
The opposition objected to certain remarks of Shah and started shouting slogans. Shah said the opposition raised questions on Birla’s integrity and contended that it was akin to questioning the country’s democratic processes.
Earlier, interjecting in the debate, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP), said he was stopped from speaking in the Lok Sabha on multiple occasions and asserted that the House does not represent one party but the whole country.