Opposition MPs are preparing to introduce a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, sources said on Monday. The move follows Opposition claims that Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was denied an opportunity to speak during the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s Address.

The controversy intensified last week when the Lok Sabha saw repeated disruptions after Rahul Gandhi referred to former Army Chief General M M Naravane’s unpublished memoir while speaking about the 2020 border standoff with China. The Speaker ruled that unpublished material could not be cited and did not allow the reading to continue.

On February 5, Speaker Birla said he had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to avoid attending the House that day to prevent any untoward incident, citing information that some Congress MPs might approach the Prime Minister’s seat and create an unprecedented situation. Lok Sabha proceedings were again disrupted by Opposition sloganeering, with MPs demanding a discussion on the India United States interim trade framework. As a result, no legislative work took place and the House was adjourned till noon, barely seven minutes after it convened for the week.

When Question Hour began, Opposition MPs continued raising slogans. Speaker Birla appealed for order and assured members that everyone would get a chance to speak. Criticising the disruptions, he urged MPs to engage in debate and discussion rather than force adjournments, but eventually adjourned the House amid continued protests. Both Houses of Parliament were scheduled to carry on discussions on the Union Budget 2026 27 on Monday. The budget was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, marking her ninth consecutive budget presentation in the Lok Sabha.