New Delhi

Leaders of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday said their MPs will support a no-confidence motion against Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, when the Parliament of India resumes its Budget Session on Monday.

A senior TMC leader said the party had always supported the move by opposition members seeking Birla’s removal from the Speaker’s post but did not want the motion to be rushed earlier.

“We were always on board with the no-confidence motion. We didn’t want it to be rushed and that’s why in the last half of the Budget session we said it should be submitted after three days,” the leader told PTI.

At least 118 opposition MPs have submitted a notice to move a resolution to remove Birla, accusing him of acting in a “blatantly partisan” manner. Earlier, TMC MPs had not signed the notice.

The party leader said almost all TMC MPs — except those who are unwell — will be present in the Lok Sabha when the notice is taken up on March 9.

TMC leaders are also in touch with other parties of the INDIA bloc regarding the issue.

The Lok Sabha has listed the opposition’s notice to move the resolution as the only item of business for the day on March 9.

Under parliamentary procedure, if at least 50 members stand in support of the notice when called by the Chair, the motion will be admitted for discussion and voting. If fewer than 50 members support it, the resolution cannot be moved.

Both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Indian National Congress have issued whips to their Lok Sabha members to ensure their presence during the proceedings.

However, the numbers in the House are strongly in favour of the ruling alliance, making it likely that the resolution will be defeated.

The Constitution allows the Speaker — in this case Birla — to be present in the House during the proceedings. He may defend himself and vote on the motion but cannot preside over the debate when the resolution is being discussed.

The proposed resolution accuses Birla of disallowing the Leader of the Opposition and other opposition members from speaking, and of making “unwarranted allegations against women MPs” from opposition parties.

It also refers to the suspension of opposition MPs for an entire session for raising issues of public concern and alleges that the Speaker failed to reprimand ruling party members for making derogatory remarks about former prime ministers.

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The notice further states that opposition members believe Birla has failed to maintain the impartiality expected of the Speaker and has “ceased to command the confidence of all sections of the House.”