No-confidence debate: Gogoi calls Rijiju 'most interrupting minister'

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi dubbed Kiren Rijiju the 'most interrupting minister' during a no-confidence debate against Speaker Om Birla. Amit Shah defended Rijiju, blaming the 'irresponsible Opposition' for the interruptions.

'Most Interrupting Minister': Gogoi Clashes With Rijiju

As the debate on the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla began on Tuesday, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi took a swipe at Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, stating that he will be remembered as the minister who "interrupted the Opposition the most". This was in response to Rijiju's statement during Gogoi's address, where he said that the opposition MPs used "unparliamentary words" and that they would answer back.

Following this, the Congress MP said, "In future when there will be research on parliamentary records and transcripts are looked at, statistics will tell that Kiren Rijiju was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, who interrupted the Opposition the most." Coming to Rijiju's defence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that such interuptions are only necessary when someone doesn't adhere to the parliamentary rules, citing his tenure as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. "I agree, Kiren Rijiju ji as Parliamentary Affairs Minister, has interrupted the most. But we have also never seen such an irresponsible Opposition," Shah said, implying that the interuptions were due to opposition repeatedly outstepping the House rules.

Motion Moved to 'Protect Dignity of the House'

During his address, Gogoi also asserted that the resolution has been brought to safeguard the House's dignity, with no personal vendetta. Adressing the lower house, Gogoi said, "This resolution has been brought as a responsibility to protect the dignity of the House, not personally against Om Birla."

Congress MP Mohammad Jawed moved the resolution to table the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla earlier today. More than 50 MPs stood in favour of moving the resolution, following which, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who is in the Chair, granted the leave, i.e. permission to the Congress MP.

Jagdambika Pal said that 10 hours have been allotted for debate, and asked MPs to stick to the resolution. He said that the Speaker was generous with the permissions and procedure for the Opposition resolution.

A total of 118 Opposition MPs have signed the motion, alleging "partisan" behaviour by the Speaker after the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, was allegedly not allowed to speak in the House. Congress MP Jawed, reading the resolution, also mentioned that the Speaker falsely alleged that the Opposition women MPs were planning a physical attack on the Prime Minister.

Key Speakers Lined Up for Discussion

According to sources, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will initiate the discussion on the resolution. BJP MPs Anurag Thakur, Nishikant Dubey, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Bhartruhari Mahtab will deliver the remarks on the matter.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Chirag Paswan will also address the House during the discussion. Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi, Manish Tewari, Deepender Singh Hooda, and Jothimani will present their argument in the Lok Sabha in favour of the resolution seeking the removal of the Lok Sabha Speaker. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)