Parliament Budget session highlights on March 10, 2026: Lok Sabha discusses resolution to remove Birla

Lok Sabha has been adjourned for the day, the proceedings will resume on Wednesday (March 10, 2026.)

Supporting the motion to remove Speaker Om Birla, Congress’ S. Jothimani says that the whole opposition is not allowed to raise its voice and express its concern, which raises serious concerns about the impartiality of the Chair. 

“This is not merely a procedural lapse, it is a fundamental betrayal of the democratic spirit, “ she says. 

Ms. Jothimani began her speech by addressing the parliamentarians of the NDA parties, saying “You abuse Rahul Gandhi because you are afraid of him.”

Ms. Jothimani also makes note of the “baseless” allegations that elected women representatives intended to harm the PM. She calls these allegations unjust. PM’s absence from the House, she says, was not because of any threat from women MPs, but because of his unwillingness to face accountability.

“Speaker must stand above politics, “ Ms. Jothimani reiterates. 

Continuing his speech, opposing the motion to remove Speaker Birla, BJP’s Nishikant Dubey questions: “On whose money is Rahul Gandhi travelling to several countries?” 

Echoing earlier speeches made by BJP parliamentarians, Mr. Dubey makes note of the duties of the Leader of Opposition. 

He goes on to list out the different remarks made by Mr. Gandhi on his various foreign visits. 

The proceedings of Lok Sabha have been extended until 7.30 p.m. today. 

The fact that Speaker Om Birla is from our party is a matter of pride for us, says BJP’s Nishikant Dubey while speaking in the Lok Sabha. 

He recalls the instances of Somnath Chatterjee and G.V. Mavalankar, and alleges that Congress didn’t stand by these Speakers. “Why wouldn’t a Speaker end up being partisan,” Mr. Dubey says. 

He adds that if anyone goes against Mr. Birla, the whole NDA will stand to defend Mr. Birla. 

Speaking against the motion to remove Speaker Om Birla, Nishikant Dubey says that the Opposition has been taking offence because things have been said against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. 

He goes on to recall the remarks made against Mr. Modi by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha. “If PM Modi doesn’t have a child in this Parliament, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have anyone to defend him here,” Mr. Dubey says. 

After Mr. Dubey refers to mentions of former PM Nehru in the book authored by Lady Pamela Hicks -- the daughter of Edwina Mountbatten, the Opposition members raise slogans. 

Continuing his speech, Mr. Tewari alleges that every time the Opposition speaks on something that is objectionable to the Centre, the mics are switched off. 

He also says that the Chair owes an apology to women MP’s accused of planning to disrupt proceedings. 

Disruption is a legitimate parliamentary tactic, Mr. Tewari says quoting the former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and goes on to recall how when the BJP was in Opposition, also did not allow the Parliament to function several times. 

“The whole point of bringing this motion to remove Speaker Birla is prove that this Parliament is not only of the government, but also belongs to the Opposition,” Congress’ Manish Tewari says while speaking on the resolution. 

Mr. Tewari refers to the Article 93 of the Constitution of India, which relates to the choosing of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha. 

He questions the silence of this government as to why a Deputy Speaker has not yet been appointed. 

Mr. Tewari says that the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha are to facilitate the freedom of speech given to the members of the House, and not to constrain it. 

Lok Sabha’s proceedings have been extended until 7 p.m. today. 

Currently, Minister of Food Processing Industries of India Chirag Paswan is speaking on the floor of the House. 

Opposing the motion to remove Speaker Om Birla, Mr. Paswan goes on to highlight the achievements of PM Modi-led NDA government. He says that the Opposition is concerned with its right to speak, but is not taking care of its duties. 

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for the day, and will resume on Wednesday (March 11, 2026)

Following a discussion on the working of the Rural Development Ministry, the Rajya Sabha has taken up Special Mentions

Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Eknath Shinde speaks on the resolution to remove Speaker Om Birla. He expresses his support for Mr. Birla and goes on to cricticise the Opposition’s behaviour. He refers to Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi speech earlier in the day, in which Mr. Gogoi objected to Opposition’s speeches being repeatedly interrupted. Mr. Shinde says that if the Opposition continues to speak in an anti-national manner, the ruling party members will continue to stop them from doing so. 

He goes on to say that instead of highlighting India’s prowess over Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the Opposition is more interested in finding out how many of the country’s fighter jets were downed. 

Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Arvind Sawant continues the ongoing discussion in Lok Sabha. 

He criticises the conduct of the ruling NDA in the Parliament sessions, and recalls the time when Sushma Swaraj, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to speak as Opposition. 

Mr. Sawant goes to dismiss the Centre’s criticism of Opposition not allowing the Parliament to function. He asks the members to recall how during the 2G scam, the BJP (then in Opposition) didn’t allow the Houses to function. 

AIADMK MP Thambidurai, speaking during the discussion on the working of the Rural Development Ministry, says former Tamil Nadu governments under MGR, Jayalaitha and Edappadi K. Palaniswamy brought several measures for the welfare of the rural areas.

He says road conditions are poor in rural areas of Tamil Nadu and the DMK government in the State is blaming the Centre for this, while they have failed to conduct elections for cooperative societies.

Meanwhile, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav finished his reply to the debate on the working of his Ministry. The reply saw heated debate between members of the Opposition, including LoP Mr. Kharge, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Neeraj Dangi. The Minister finished his reply and the House then took the working of the Ministry of Rural Development for discussion.

Speaker Om Birla “perfected the art” of switching off the microphones of Opposition members, Ms. Moitra says. Ruling party members are allowed to speak endlessly while Opposition members’ time is being curtailed whenever they raise to speak, she says.

“The Speaker has systematically throttled the voice of the Opposition and by default, the voice of 41 crore Indians,” she says.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra says that the Constitution mandates that the posts of Speaker and deputy Speaker shall be appointed as soon as the post falls vacant but there is no deputy Speaker currently.

She also says that the consensus of the House was not taken into account on who will preside over the proceedings on the resolution.

She says Speaker Om Birla ordered the largest mass suspension of MPs in the history of Indian Parliament. “This one episode alone accounted for over 40% of all Lok Sabha suspensions since 2004,” she says, adding he did so because MPs wanted government’s statement on breach of Parliament security.

She says Mr. Birla presided over the passage of the three criminal Bills without any discussion and remarks that Mr. Birla was hindering democracy. BJP members object to the remarks and Mr. Krishna Prasad Tenneti in the chair says that an objectionable word will be removed from the record.

Ms. Moitra asks a Marshall, whose voice could be heard on the Speaker’s microphone, to stop talking and says, “he is sitting on the chair and not you.” She continues to speak on suspension of MPs but Mr. Tenneti intervenes to say MPs are suspended by the House and not by the Speaker. Ms. Moitra quips, ”I am glad that you are reminded of this by the marshal and I will take your point,” and thanks the marshal again and changes her remarks to say the Speaker presided over the House during the suspensions. She says the marshal should be added as the tenth member of the panel of chairpersons.

Tension raises in the House and BJP’s Bhartruhari Mahtab asks Mr. Tenneti to warn Ms. Moitra against such remarks. Mr. Tenneti says he agrees and Ms. Moitra’s remarks were against the Chair. Ms. Moitra replies, “We are moving a no-confidence motion against the Chair, obviously the comments will be against the Chair.”

Mr. Rijiju criticises Mr. Rahul Gandhi over various incidents. He says Mr. Gandhi’s remarks abroad about India, particularly the one in Germany, where Mr. Rijiju says Mr. Gandhi said democracy was in danger in India and requested Germany’s intervention.

Mr. Rijiju also says Mr. Rahul told Army soldiers that they had no rights but their commanders enjoyed power. He also criticises Mr. Gandhi’s meeting with Chinese Ambassador in 2017 during a time of tension between the armed forces of both the countries in Doklam. He says Mr. Gandhi doesn’t believe the armed forces of India but sought information from the Chinese embassy. Opposition members loudly protest these remarks.

Mr. Rijiju says that the Opposition speaks their point in the House but never listens to the other side. He refers to Mr. Rahul Gandhi and says has anybody ever seen an Opposition leader who comes over to the opposite side and hugs the Prime Minister. He also refers to another incident where Mr. Gandhi was allegedly seen winking at another member.

He says that the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha aren’t just colleagues but the custodians of the Houses.

In the 18th Lok Sabha, 1,835 issues were raised during the Zero Hour and the Opposition parties raised 56% of that, Mr. Rijiju says.

Mr. Ray intervenes during Mr. Rijiju’s speech and cites the rule saying that no member is allowed to speak for more than 15 minutes but Mr. Rijiju has been allowed longer. Mr. Krishna Prasad Tenneti, in the Chair allows Mr. Rijiju to speak.

Mr. Rijiju defends his time, saying that the time limit doesn’t apply for this debate.

Mr. Rijiju speaks in support of Speaker Om Birla. He says nobody can deny the amount of reforms during Mr. Birla’s tenure as the Speaker. Matters raised during the Zero Hour is the highest during Om Birla’s tenure, he says, adding, the highest number of matter raised under Rule 377, matters of public interest, special mentions have all been done during Mr. Birla’s tenure.

He also praises Mr. Birla’s role in digitising Parliament, paperless functioning, e-notice, e-bulletin, e-reports, e-office and the development of members’ portal. He should every member should thank Mr. Birla for enabling these under his leadership.

Mr. Rijiju now quotes Pandit Nehru’s opening remarks during a no-confidence motion against the Speaker in 1954.

“I would beg honourable members sitting opposite, those who have signed it and those in duty-bound have supported it to read the thing which they have signed. Its a vicious thing, they have signed. I doubt whether the persons have read it before they have signed it. If they have read it, they would have hesitated a hundred times before they sign that document... and yet seeing the manner in which this has been brought forward, and the wording used here, I say, it is a gross abuse of one’s intelligence and to ask anybody in this House to support this is to consider that...,” Mr. Rijiju says.

All members are equal in this House and everyone needs the chair’s permission to speak in the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says. He says the microphone doesn’t switch on for him automatically just because he is a Minister.

Saying that Gaurav Gogoi made a remark against him, Mr. Rijiju says its not Mr. Gogoi’s fault because since becoming a parliamentarian, the Congress party hasn’t been on power and so he would not be aware of the working of the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry.

Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Ray brings back the issue of who will preside the House. TDP member Krishna Prasad Tenneti is on the chair now. Mr. Tenneti says that a ruling has already been issued and why is the member trying to raise it again.

Mr. Gogoi concludes his speech, calling for more debate and discussion be allowed in the House. He says, the resolution is not particularly against Mr. Birla but against the way business is conducted in the House.

Talking on Speaker Mr. Birla, Mr. Gogoi refers to the incident when Mr. Birla advised PM Modi to not come to the House for the reply on motion of thanks to the President’s address, claiming “credible information that certain women MPs intend to surround the PM’s chair and create an unexpected situation”, and calls the incident “shameful”.

The incident is “legally distinct” because the Speaker “pre-emptively” advised the PM to not attend the House. “That is a complete breach of neutrality,” he says, questioning how did he make such an allegation on the women MPs and based on what evidence.

Mr. Gogoi refers to the U.S. saying it will allow India to buy Russian oil for 30 days because of the West Asia war and asks where did our dignity go ? What happened to talks of being the ‘ Vishwaguru’, he asks.

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Mr. Gogoi continues his speech as the Lok Sabha discusses the resolution to remove Speaker Om Birla. He speaks on the importance of the Speaker’s post and quotes first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: “The Speaker represents the House. He represents the dignity of the House, the freedom of the House and because the House represents the nation, in a particular way, the Speaker becomes the symbol of the nation’s freedom and liberty.” But where is the space for expression today, he asks.

He says Leader of Opposition has the right to ask questions and asks which statement by Mr. Rahul Gandhi is pressuring the government.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha reconvene after a break.

Gaurav Gogoi resumes his speech in Lok Sabha on the resolution for removal of Speaker Om Birla.

In Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav is all set to reply to the debate on the working of his Ministry. Chairman Radhakrishnan allows Congress MP Neeraj Dangi a special exemption to speak after a request from the Congress chief whip to allow him as the last speaker before the Minister’s reply. Mr. Radhakrishnan says this is a one-time exemption only, under the spirit of democracy and shall not be cited for future reference. One member quips, asking the Chairman not to say that as the ruling party might need it some day.

Rajya Sabha took up Question Hour and adjourned till 2 p.m.

Mr. Gogoi says that Rahul Gandhi tried to speak about various issues like the India-U.S. interim trade agreement. Mr. Pal insists that Mr. Gogoi only speak on the charges in the resolution. Mr. Gogoi reads the charges in the resolution again to justify his remarks.

He speaks about Mr. Gandhi’s remarks about the interim trade agreement with U.S. and said he was denied opportunity to speak. Mr. Pal says Mr. Gandhi was allowed time to speak but he made the remarks without any mention in his speech submitted to the Speaker.

Mr. Gogoi goes on to list issues which Mr. Gandhi tried to speak about in the House but was denied. He mentions controversies around former Army chief M.M. Naravane’s book, Epstein files, and the trade agreement with the U.S., which Mr. Gandhi had tried to raise in the House but wasn’t allowed. He says ruling party members were looking “visibly uneasy” during Mr. Gandhi’s remarks.

Mr. Pal asks, if Mr. Gogoi himself knows that the book is unpublished, how can it be used inside the House as a reference.

The House adjourns for lunch to reconvene at 2 p.m. and Mr. Gogoi will continue his speech.

Even after the Opposition INDIA has nearly 200 members in the Lok Sabha, there is no deputy Speaker and the country should know how this House is being run, Mr. Gogoi continues. 

Even the microphone is being weaponised in the House, Mr. Gogoi says. The Treasury Bench members are allowed the chance to speak but Opposition members, especially the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, are not given the microphone to speak.

Mr. Pal says these are slanders but Mr. Gogoi refutes, saying, these are not merely allegations but the resolution that is being discussed. He says Opposition is “disallowed” to speak by “disallowing” access to the microphone.

Mr. Gogoi resumes. He repeats his previous agreement that a chairperson from the panel selected by the Speaker presiding over the House during the resolution is because of the power of the Speaker and is a “violation of the Constitution”.

He says the last three times when a resolution was moved against the Lok Sabha Speaker, there was a deputy Speaker sitting in the House. But there has been no deputy Speaker appointed by this government, he says.

Union Amit Shah intervenes to say that the powers of the Speaker are valid even during an election, the power of the Speaker is valid. He says that the Opposition is “misinterpreting” the word preside. He says the Speaker can’t preside over the proceedings but will not be vacant.

Mr. Pal says that the position of the Speaker is valid even if the House is dissolved, until the next government is elected and the next Speaker is elected.

Gaurav Gogoi cites rules to say that Speaker shall not preside while a resolution for his removal from office is consideration. He says there Speaker appoints a panel of chairpersons and who will decide who among them will sit on the Chair during the resolution. He asks how has it been decided that Mr. Pal will sit on the Chair during the resolution. He protests that the House has no record from the panel of chairperson regarding this.

Mr. Pal intervenes to say that he has already issued his ruling regarding the matter that the post of the Speaker is still not vacant and his appointments are valid and has the power to decide. However, Mr. Gogoi denies this saying, if the Speaker has no power to preside during the resolution, then where is the power.

Lok Sabha will discuss for 10 hours, the motion to remove Speaker Om Birla. Mr. Pal, in the Chair, praises the “generosity” of Mr. Birla. He cites the rules on how the motion should be notified and moved and that there were mistakes initially in the notice and Mr. Birla has “generously” notified these voluntarily and called for correcting them, and then moving the motion. Mr. Pal says Mr. Birla voluntarily decided to not preside over the House until the debate.

Opposition members object to these remarks and try to raise point of order. Noisy scenes break out in the House. One member could be heard telling the Chair, “your remarks are absolutely wrong.”

A minute of protest against the remarks and the House finally settles!

MP Asaduddin Owaisi raises an interesting point of order to cite rules and says that when a motion to remove the Speaker is being discussed, the Speaker doesn’t have the power to preside over the proceedings. He says no deputy Speaker has been appointed and the person in the Chair has also come with the approval of the Speaker and so can not proceed to preside over the motion. He demands to take consensus of the House on whom should preside over the proceedings before moving to debate the motion.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey intervenes to say that the rules say that anybody in the Chair has similar powers as the Speaker and are allowed to preside over the proceedings. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also echoes the comments.

Congress MP K.C. Venugopal slams the government for not appointing a deputy Speaker. He also demands to take the consensus of the House before the debate begins.

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad now says that the person in the Chair has full rights to preside the proceedings.

Mr. Pal, in the Chair, finally concludes that the Speaker’s post is not vacant and therefore has the authority to conduct the proceedings. Several members try to raise points of order but Mr. Pal says they will be allowed to raise it later.

Congress MP Mr. Mohammed Jawed now moves the motion for removal of Speaker Om Birla.

Congress MP Mohammed Jawed moves resolution in the Lok Sabha for the removal of Speaker Om Birla. 

Lok Sabha reconvenes with BJP MP Jagdambika Pal in the chair. He says all notices moved by Opposition are being denied. The House moves on to take Papers to be laid on the table. Opposition MP Asaduddin Owaisi tries to raise a point of order but Mr. Pal says only papers are being laid on the table and there was no matter to raise a point of order.

Repeated requests from Ms. Sandhya Ray, in the chair, yields no result as Opposition continued to display placards and raise slogans from the Well of the House. Ms. Ray adjourns the House briefly till 12 p.m. 

Leader of the House J.P. Nadda says that the Opposition doesn’t want actual debate inside the House. He condemns Opposition for raising SIR inside the House even after the discussion on electoral reforms happened. He says the Opposition has walked out again and doesn’t want any discussion in the House. Mr. Nadda made similar remarks yesterday. 

Opposition is protesting by sloganeering and displaying placards in both Houses.

LoP Mallikarjun Kharge calls the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process “fraud”. Chairman intervenes to say that this will not be allowed.

Opposition members protest this. Mr. Radhakrishnan says all members were allowed time to speak during the debate on electoral reforms and it is not right to speak on this issue.

Opposition members have apparently resorted to showing placards. Chairman says members are not allowed to display placards inside the House. Opposition now sloganeering amid the proceedings.

To a member’s demand to speak, Chairman Radhakrishnan says, “You can not force the Chair, to take political advantage.” Everyone were given time during debate on electoral reforms, he repeats.

Zero Hour underway in the House. Opposition leaders demand a chance for the Leader of Opposition to speak. Chairman Radhakrishnan says he will allow the LoP to speak.

Mr. Chouhan condemns Opposition sloganeering inside Lok Sabha during the discussion on farmers’ issues. 

Both Houses convene for the day. BJP MP Sandhya Ray chairs the session in Lok Sabha and Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan is in the chair in Rajya Sabha.

Question Hour underway in the Lok Sabha. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is answering questions on the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. Opposition members could be heard raising slogans.

In the Rajya Sabha, statements from parliamentary committees are being tabled.

The Opposition will move the resolution to bring in the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, if the House functions “smoothly,” Congress MP K. Suresh said today.

Mr. Suresh, one of the three Congress MPs slated to move the resolution, noted that they could not do so as the Lower House was “not functioning” amid frequent adjournments on Monday (March 9, 2026).

“Today we will move that motion if the House runs smoothly. Yesterday, the House was not functioning,” he said.

118 Opposition MPs have signed the motion, alleging “partisan” behaviour by the Speaker after the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, was not allegedly allowed to speak in the House.

- ANI

Lok Sabha:

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to make a statement on Supplementary Demands for Grants - Second Batch for 2025-2026
• Matters to be discussed under Rule 377
• Resolution to move the motion to remove Speaker Om Birla

Rajya Sabha:

• Ms. Sitharaman to lay on the table of the House, the Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2025-2026
• Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav to reply to discussion on the working of his Ministry
• House to take up discussion on the working of the Ministry of Rural Development

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh submits a notice under Rule 267 of the Upper House, seeking to suspend matters of the House and discuss the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP has said that the ongoing conflict “poses serious risks” for India’s trade, economy and energy security, as crude prices shot up due to uncertainty in maintaining safety over global shipping routes.

-ANI