No-confidence motion against Om Birla: Lok Sabha fails to take up resolution amid opposition protests over West Asia debate

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Monday failed to take up a resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla amid repeated adjournments as opposition members demanded a discussion on the West Asia situation.The House was adjourned for the day shortly after it reconvened at 3 pm following an earlier adjournment triggered by persistent protests from opposition MPs. As proceedings resumed, opposition members continued raising slogans. BJP MP Jagadambika Pal, who was chairing the proceedings, urged the protesting members to maintain decorum and allow the House to take up the resolution against Birla.Pal reminded the opposition that the no-confidence resolution against the Speaker was already listed on the House agenda. He said their adjournment notice seeking a discussion on the West Asia crisis could not be taken up at that stage.During the heated proceedings, Pal accused the opposition of wasting taxpayers' money by disrupting the functioning of the House. He said the opposition was holding the proceedings "hostage" to its demands, adding that about Rs 9 crore was spent every day to run the House.He described the conduct of opposition members as "immature and irresponsible" and claimed they were working with a "political agenda" to disrupt proceedings by preventing the House from taking up the resolution against Birla.Pal also said that the government and the Chair were willing to take up the resolution. However, he alleged that the opposition was creating obstacles even as Birla was not presiding over the House until the no-confidence motion against him was settled.