Abhishek sets terms for signing no-confidence motion against the LS Speaker

Today in New Delhi, the Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said that his party has no problem signing the no-confidence motion against the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla. All 28 MPs will sign it. However, before moving the no-confidence motion, we want all INDIA bloc partners to sign a letter addressed to the Speaker, highlighting the four points on which the argument is based. For instance, eight Congress MPs have been suspended. An appeal can be made to reconsider or revoke the suspension. The Speaker can be given two to three days’ time to respond.

“If the Speaker does not act or fails to provide satisfactory responses to the four issues, a no-confidence motion can be introduced after three days. If the letter is sent today and no action is taken, the no-confidence motion can be introduced on Friday,” said Abhishek on Tuesday.

Advertisement

We want the House to function properly, but it appears the Union government does not. The House has been adjourned twice, and the Speaker has not come to the House. From 2 p.m. yesterday until 11 a.m. today, the House remained adjourned. If you [the Speaker] truly intend to ensure the House functions properly, why would you adjourn it for such a long period? You share the responsibility, along with the Union government, to ensure the smooth functioning of the House, he said.

We want a discussion on the Union Budget. The people of the country have sent us here to speak on their behalf. However, the Union government does not want the House to function. MPs are present to raise questions during Question Hour and articulate the people’s demands during Zero Hour, but no one is getting the opportunity because the Union government does not want these hours to operate. I have conveyed this to the partners of the INDIA bloc, and they all agree with me. I have also said the same to the Speaker. A meeting has been called today, and I will participate in it.

He added that perhaps the Central government has presented a Budget that would face sharp criticism from the Opposition, and they may not be able to handle it. Their weaknesses would be exposed. If a discussion takes place, the Opposition will get the opportunity to speak and politically critique the government. The BJP does not want its reality to be exposed once again through a discussion on the Budget. It is the responsibility of both the BJP and the Speaker to ensure the House functions properly. The TMC wants the House to function smoothly.

“We did not plan to bring an impeachment motion against Gyanesh Kumar at the very beginning. We could have done so three months ago, as the Congress had suggested at the time. However, we explored all avenues. We held meetings, staged protests, the Chief Minister wrote six letters, and our delegation met the CEO and the CEC. Over the past three months, we have sent 100-150 letters, but received no response. Impeachment is the last resort. Similarly, the Speaker should be given a letter today and allowed three days to respond. If the Speaker takes no action, then on Friday you [the Congress] can move the no-confidence motion, and all AITC MPs will sign the resolution,” said the TMC MP.