Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday stated that his party would consider supporting a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla only if its concerns are not addressed within a specified timeframe. He emphasised that the party has so far exercised restraint but will not hesitate to take stronger action if necessary.
“If our issues are not addressed within three days, we can always move a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. There is no ambiguity or doubt about that,” he stated.
Reacting to reports that opposition parties are preparing to move a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, Banerjee said the TMC has adopted a measured and constructive approach. He noted that the party continues to hold deep respect for constitutional institutions and the authority of the Chair. According to him, the TMC’s stance is guided by the principles of national leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda, and therefore it prefers to allow the Speaker an opportunity to respond to opposition concerns before escalating the matter.
At the same time, Banerjee made it clear that this restraint is not indefinite. He stated that if the issues raised by the party and other opposition members are not addressed within three days, the TMC would be prepared to support a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. He asserted that there was no uncertainty about the party’s willingness to take such a step should the situation remain unchanged.
His remarks come amid continuing disruptions in the Lok Sabha, where tensions between the treasury benches and opposition parties have intensified. Opposition leaders, led by the Congress, are expected to submit a no-confidence motion against Om Birla, alleging that proceedings in the House have been conducted in a partisan manner and that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was not given adequate opportunity to speak during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
The situation in the House has further escalated following the suspension of eight opposition MPs by the Speaker for alleged unruly conduct, seven of whom belong to the Congress. The action has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and contributed to the ongoing standoff.
Banerjee also addressed concerns related to the Election Commission, stating that the TMC is exploring the possibility of moving an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He said discussions with like-minded parties were already underway and indicated that such a step would be considered if allegations of bias and partisanship against the poll body remain unresolved. According to him, questions raised by TMC leaders during a recent interaction with the Election Commission had not received satisfactory responses.
“We have already spoken to like-minded parties, and the process is underway. If the CEC is working in a biased and partisan manner, then moving an impeachment becomes the last resort,” he said.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh referred to a 1954 parliamentary debate concerning a resolution to remove the then Speaker G.V. Mavalankar. He recalled that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had advocated providing the Opposition more time during such discussions, highlighting the importance of fairness and balance in parliamentary proceedings.
The latest developments point to a possible escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the government and opposition parties, as Parliament continues to witness frequent disruptions and sharp political exchanges.
