Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju fired a fresh salvo at Congress a day before Lok Sabha takes up its resolution for removal of Speaker Om Birla. The main opposition party would end up “regretting” its move against the Chair, he said, adding that the action which, he added, was in line with its frequent targeting of constitutional institutions.People in the know said an extensive discussion, that may go on for two days, will begin from Monday, and members from BJP-led NDA are likely to frame the notice submitted by 118 MPs from Congress and its allies, such as SP and DMK, against Birla as part of their “historical” subversion of institutions.Rijiju told TOI that Congress and its allies had no valid reason to seek Birla’s removal as Speaker. “It was an undesirable notice. Congress has sought this debate and we will take it up extensively. Congress will regret bringing this motion. Their allegations are nothing but a reflection on their attempt to play politics with the Speaker’s post,” he said.With NDA having 293 members in the effective strength of 541 in the House, the opposition’s motion is bound to be defeated, but the governing alliance’s managers are working overtime to bring parties outside their bloc on board to rally maximum support for Birla and deliver a blow to the their rivals.Rijiju said Birla enjoyed wide support from several smaller parties.Rules allow the Speaker to attend proceedings without presiding over the debate and even defend himself against the allegations. Birla had voluntarily stopped attending the House since Feb 10 when the notice was submitted against him.Before the debate, external affairs minister S Jaishankar is expected to make a statement on the situation in West Asia in Lok Sabha, an issue on which the opposition has been attacking govt.
