The Lok Sabha, India's lower house of Parliament, is facing a potentially turbulent period as opposition parties have submitted a notice for a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, Om Birla. This move signifies a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between the opposition and the ruling party, raising questions about the stability and impartiality of the House.

How a No-Confidence Motion Works

A no-confidence motion against the Lok Sabha Speaker is a mechanism available to members of the House to express their lack of confidence in the presiding officer. This is governed by Article 94(c) of the Indian Constitution. The process entails several key steps:

1. Notice: Any member of the Lok Sabha can propose a no-confidence motion. The member must provide a written notice to the Secretary General of the Lok Sabha. This notice is then submitted to the Speaker.
2. Support: The motion needs the support of at least 50 members of the Lok Sabha for it to be admitted. This requirement ensures that only serious challenges to the Speaker's authority are considered. The Speaker will ask members in favor of the motion to rise in their seats to verify that it has the necessary support.
3. Admissibility: The Speaker then decides on the admissibility of the motion. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has asked the Lok Sabha Secretariat to examine the no-confidence notice and expedite the process.
4. Notice Period: Once admitted, a minimum of 14 days' notice must be given before the motion is moved.
5. Debate: After the notice period, the motion is debated in the House. The Speaker has the right to be heard in the House during this consideration, and will typically step down from the chair to defend themselves.
6. Vote: Following the debate, the House votes on the motion. To remove the Speaker, a majority of "all the then members of the House" is required. This means a majority of the total membership of the House at that time, excluding any vacant seats.
7. Outcome: If the motion is passed, the Speaker is removed from office. If it fails, the Speaker continues in their role.

Grounds for the Current Motion

The opposition's move against Speaker Om Birla stems from a series of grievances. These include accusations of bias, the denial of sufficient speaking time to opposition members, and disruptions during House proceedings. Opposition leaders have specifically mentioned the Leader of the Opposition not being allowed to speak and the suspension of certain MPs as points of contention. There have also been claims that the Speaker made defamatory remarks against opposition MPs.

Do the Opposition Have the Numbers?

As of February 10, 2026, the opposition claims to have the support of around 119 MPs for the no-confidence motion. However, the actual strength of the Lok Sabha and the number of members present and voting at the time of the motion will determine whether the opposition has the necessary majority. The ruling party has already downplayed the move, suggesting that the opposition lacks the numbers to succeed.

To successfully remove the Speaker, the opposition needs a majority of all the then members of the House. Given the current composition of the Lok Sabha, this will be a significant challenge.

Historical Context

While no-confidence motions against the Speaker are rare, they are not unprecedented in India's parliamentary history. However, no such motion has ever succeeded in removing a Speaker.

The current move underscores the deep divisions and distrust between the government and the opposition. It remains to be seen whether the motion will be admitted and, if so, whether the opposition can garner the necessary support to remove the Speaker.