Second part of Budget Session all set for stormy start

The second half of the Budget session of Parliament resumes today and is expected to begin on a stormy note. The Lok Sabha is set to take up an opposition-backed motion seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla, while the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States is also likely to dominate proceedings.

The Budget session will continue until April 2.

No-trust motion against Om Birla: A motion against Om Birla, signed by 118 Opposition MPs, accuses him of acting in a “blatantly partisan” manner while conducting proceedings in the House. Following the notice, Birla recused himself from presiding over the Lok Sabha and is expected to return to the chair only after the matter is decided.

Despite the political heat, the ruling National Democratic Alliance holds a comfortable majority, making it unlikely that the motion will succeed. PM Narendra Modi has publicly backed Birla, saying the Speaker has upheld the principles of the Constitution and parliamentary democracy.