Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday defended an opposition resolution seeking the removal of Om Birla as Speaker of the Lok Sabha, alleging partisan conduct in the functioning of the House.

Initiating the debate, the Jorhat MP from Assam said the parliamentary environment during the February discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address did not allow Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to speak without interruptions. Gogoi alleged that Gandhi faced multiple interruptions from the Speaker, the panel of chairpersons, and members of the treasury benches.

According to Gogoi, Gandhi had attempted to raise several issues during the debate, including references to remarks in a book by former Army chief M. M. Naravane, developments related to an investigation in the United States involving an Indian minister and a businessman, and concerns over trade arrangements affecting Indian farmers. He said the Speaker had asked for authentication of the claims while members from the treasury benches raised objections.

Referring to the Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker ruling of the Supreme Court of India, Gogoi said the Speaker is expected to maintain impartiality while conducting proceedings. He also questioned the decision to have Jagdambika Pal preside over the proceedings during the debate and referred to interventions by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. During the discussion, Home Minister Amit Shah made remarks about the opposition’s conduct.

The resolution seeking Birla’s removal was moved by Congress MPs K. Suresh, Mallu Ravi and Mohammad Jawed and was supported by more than 50 members. The motion alleges partisan handling of the House’s proceedings by the Speaker.

Under Article 94 of the Constitution of India, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of the members of the House. Article 96 allows the Speaker to take part in the proceedings while such a motion is under consideration.

Similar motions against past Speakers, including G. V. Mavlankar in 1954, Hukam Singh in 1966, and Balram Jakhar in 1987, were introduced but did not pass. In the absence of a Deputy Speaker, the senior-most member from the panel of chairpersons presides over the proceedings related to the motion.