Told PM to avoid LS over Congress ‘plot’: Birla

UPSC Study Note: "Told PM to Avoid LS Over Congress 'Plot'" — Om Birla (February 2026)

1. At a Glance

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla publicly stated (6 February 2026) that he had personally advised PM Narendra Modi to stay away from the House during the Motion of Thanks debate citing "concrete information" of a Congress "plot" — an extraordinary extra-constitutional act by the Speaker. [S1]
• The Motion of Thanks to the President's Address was passed without the PM's reply — the first such instance in approximately 22 years — creating a major constitutional and parliamentary precedent question. [S2]
• This episode crystallised a deep executive-legislature tension and triggered a no-confidence motion against the Speaker himself, rare in Indian parliamentary history. [S3]
• UPSC relevance: spans constitutional procedures (Article 87), parliamentary conventions, Speaker's neutrality, and separation of powers.

2. Why in the News

• 5 February 2026: Lok Sabha passed the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address by voice vote amid Opposition uproar, without PM Modi's customary reply speech. [S4]
• 6 February 2026: Speaker Om Birla disclosed he had intelligence of an "unexpected act" by Congress MPs near the PM's seat, prompting his advisory to PM Modi to stay away. [S1]
• Opposition MPs (118 members from Congress, DMK, SP, RJD, Left) filed a no-confidence motion against Speaker Birla. [S3]
• March 9–11, 2026: Lok Sabha took up debate on a resolution seeking removal of Speaker Om Birla; Congress MP Dr. Mohammad Jawed moved the resolution, alleging the Speaker made unwarranted allegations against women MPs. [S3]

3. Background & Evolution

4. Core Static Facts

Constitutional Provisions: - Article 87(1): President shall address both Houses assembled together at the commencement of the first session after each general election and at the commencement of the first session of each year. [S5] - Article 87(2): Provision is made for the allocation of time for discussion of the matters referred to in the Address. - No specific article mandates the PM to reply; it is a parliamentary convention, not a constitutional obligation.

Motion of Thanks — Key Facts: - Moved by a ruling party member, seconded by another; members selected by the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. [S5] - Discussion scope is very wide — members can raise any national or international issue. - Amendments can be moved to the Motion; if the Motion of Thanks is defeated, it is treated as equivalent to a vote of no-confidence in the government. [S6] - After adoption, the Motion is communicated to the President.

Speaker's Role and Removal: - Speaker is elected under Article 93 (Lok Sabha) / Article 89 (Rajya Sabha — Chairman). - Speaker can be removed under Article 94 — by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the House, with 14 days' prior notice. - Speaker continues to hold office even after dissolution of the House until the newly elected House meets. - Casting vote: Speaker does not vote in the first instance; exercises casting vote in case of a tie. - Speaker's neutrality: By convention, the Speaker severs ties with their political party — a convention not legally enforceable in India (unlike UK where Speaker resigns from party).

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Legal / Constitutional

• PM's reply to Motion of Thanks is convention, not constitutional mandate — its absence, while unprecedented in ~22 years, does not violate Article 87. [S5]
• Speaker's act of advising the executive (PM) on his parliamentary attendance blurs the separation of legislature and executive — the Speaker's role is to manage the House, not to advise the PM on attendance for security reasons through informal channels.
• A resolution for removal of Speaker (Article 94) requires: 14 days' notice + majority of all then-members — a very high bar, making removal practically difficult for the Opposition. [S3]

Political / Governance

• The episode reflects a breakdown of parliamentary norms: Opposition disruptions, Speaker's controversial extra-House advisory, and government passing a constitutionally significant motion without PM's customary defence.
• Speaker's neutrality is a cornerstone of parliamentary democracy; publicly alleging a specific party's "plot" politically compromises this neutrality.
• The no-confidence motion against Speaker is a political tool — historically used rarely in Indian Parliament.

Historical

• Removal of Speaker precedent: No Lok Sabha Speaker has ever been removed by a resolution — the procedure exists in Article 94 but has never been successfully invoked. [S3]
• Closest precedent: Speaker G.V. Mavalankar (1952-1956) established conventions of Speaker's neutrality that subsequent Speakers have largely followed.
• PM skipping the Motion of Thanks reply is unprecedented in modern parliamentary practice (post-2004 at least). [S2]

Administrative / Parliamentary Procedure

• The President's Address is drafted by the Cabinet and represents the government's policy agenda — the President reads it but does not author it.
• Under Rule 16 of Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure, the debate on the Motion of Thanks must be concluded within a time limit set by the Speaker. [S5]
• The Speaker has discretion to adjourn the House or suspend members under Rule 374 if disorder continues.

6. Recent Developments (Last 12–18 Months)

• 5 Feb 2026: Lok Sabha passes Motion of Thanks by voice vote amid Opposition uproar without PM's reply — first in ~22 years. [S4]
• 5 Feb 2026: Opposition MPs reportedly approach PM Modi's seat during proceedings, triggering Speaker's intervention. [S2]
• 6 Feb 2026: Speaker Birla publicly reveals he had advised PM Modi not to attend, citing "concrete information" of Congress "plot." [S1]
• Feb 2026: 118 Opposition MPs (Congress, DMK, SP, RJD, Left) sign no-confidence notice against Speaker Om Birla. [S3]
• Feb 11, 2026: Speaker Birla directs Secretariat to "rectify deficiencies" in the no-confidence motion notices filed against him. [S3]
• March 9, 2026: Lok Sabha takes up resolution seeking removal of Speaker Om Birla; Congress MP Dr. Mohammad Jawed moves the resolution. [S3]
• March 10–11, 2026: Debate on Speaker's removal continues in Lok Sabha. [S3]

7. Prelims Hooks

1. Article 87 of the Constitution mandates the President to address both Houses of Parliament assembled together at the commencement of the first session after each general election and first session of each year.
2. The Motion of Thanks to the President's Address is moved by a member selected by the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs — NOT by the Speaker.
3. If the Motion of Thanks is defeated, it is constitutionally equivalent to a vote of no-confidence in the government.
4. A resolution for removal of the Lok Sabha Speaker requires 14 days' prior notice and passage by a majority of all then-members of the House (Article 94).
5. No Lok Sabha Speaker has ever been removed through a resolution in Indian parliamentary history.
6. The Speaker continues in office even after dissolution of the Lok Sabha until a newly elected House constitutes itself and elects a new Speaker (Article 94).
7. In February 2026, the Lok Sabha passed the Motion of Thanks without PM Modi delivering his reply — reportedly the first time in approximately 22 years.
8. 118 Opposition MPs signed the no-confidence motion against Speaker Birla in February 2026. [S3]
9. The Speaker's casting vote is exercised only in the event of a tie — the Speaker does not vote in the first instance (Article 100).
10. The President's Address under Article 87 is a policy statement of the Cabinet, not an independent presidential speech — the President is constitutionally bound to read the Cabinet-approved text.
11. Rule 374 of the Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure empowers the Speaker to name and suspend a member for disorderly conduct.
12. The Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected under Article 93 of the Constitution.
13. By convention (not law), the Speaker is expected to resign from their political party upon election — this convention is not legally enforced in India (unlike the UK).

8. Mains Relevance

GS Papers: - GS-II: Indian Constitution — Parliament, Parliamentary procedures, Executive-Legislature relations; Role of Speaker; Constitutional conventions vs. constitutional law.

Specific Syllabus Headings: - Parliament and State Legislatures — Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers and Privileges - Appointment to Various Constitutional Posts, Powers, Functions and Responsibilities

Plausible Mains Question Stems:

1. "The office of the Lok Sabha Speaker is constitutional, yet its neutrality rests largely on convention. In light of recent events, critically examine whether India needs a statutory framework to enforce the Speaker's non-partisanship." (GS-II, 250 words)

2. "Examine the constitutional procedure for the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address. What happens if it is defeated? Does the PM's absence from the reply constitute a constitutional violation?" (GS-II, 150 words)

3. "The removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is a near-impossible constitutional exercise in practice. Discuss the constitutional provisions and the political challenges in removing a Speaker." (GS-II, 250 words)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

1. "PM is constitutionally required to reply to Motion of Thanks" — WRONG. It is a convention, not a constitutional or statutory obligation. Article 87 only covers the President's address; PM's reply is customary practice.

2. Confusing "Motion of Thanks" with "No-Confidence Motion" — These are separate procedures. However, if the Motion of Thanks is defeated by amendment, it is treated as equivalent to a vote of no-confidence. They are not the same motion.

3. Speaker's removal majority requirement — Candidates often confuse this with a simple majority. It requires majority of all then-members (not just those present and voting), making it a much higher bar.

4. "Speaker must resign from party upon election" — In the UK, this is a firm convention; in India, it is merely a convention not followed consistently and not legally binding.

5. Confusing Article 87 (joint address) with Article 86 (right to address) — Article 86 gives the President the right to address either House or both Houses; Article 87 mandates the special address at the start of first session after elections and first session of each year.

11. Sources

• [S1] "Told PM to avoid LS over Congress 'plot': Birla" — The Hindu (6 February 2026) — https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/2026-02-06/th_international/articleGF5FHVGDD-13391019.ece — (Tier 4)
• [S2] "Speaker Om Birla Cites Security Fears As Lok Sabha Passes Motion Of Thanks Without PM Modi's Reply" — Free Press Journal — https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/speaker-om-birla-cites-security-fears-as-lok-sabha-passes-motion-of-thanks-without-pm-modis-reply — (Tier 4)
• [S3] "Lok Sabha begins debate on resolution seeking removal of Speaker Om Birla" — Newsonair (PIB/AIR, 10 March 2026) — https://www.newsonair.gov.in/lok-sabha-begins-debate-on-resolution-seeking-removal-of-speaker-om-birla — (Tier 1 adjacent — government broadcaster)
• [S4] "Lok Sabha adopts Motion of Thanks to President's Address by voice vote amid uproar" — Newsonair (5 February 2026) — https://www.newsonair.gov.in/lok-sabha-adopts-motion-of-thanks-to-presidents-address-by-voice-vote-amid-uproar-by-opposition-parties — (Tier 1 adjacent)
• [S5] "President's Address and Motion of Thanks" — Lok Sabha Secretariat / Sansad.in — https://sansad.in/uploads/president_e_157317094a.pdf — (Tier 1)
• [S6] "Motion of Thanks" — Manorama Yearbook / PMF IAS (procedural explainer drawing on Lok Sabha Rules) — https://www.manoramayearbook.in/current-affairs/india/2024/07/03/motion-of-thanks-upsc.html — (Tier 3/4)