IN A scathing attack on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday accused him of partisan behaviour, making “baseless” allegations against women MPs of the opposition and not allowing Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to put forth “critical issues” before the House. Initiating the debate on the resolution for the removal of Birla from the Speaker’s post, Gogoi said the Opposition was compelled to bring a resolution for Birla’s removal as Lok Sabha Speaker to “save the Constitution” and the “dignity of the House”. Where is the freedom of speech now, the Congress deputy leader in the House asked as he slammed Birla for being “partisan”. He raised questions over the manner in which the Speaker presided over the House on February 2 when Gandhi had to speak on the motion of thanks to the president’s address.

 

“There was an expectation that the chair would be neutral. But research of uncorrected versions would show the number of times the LoP was interrupted. While the LoP was on his feet, another member was called upon (to speak),” Gogoi said. “Is this Parliamentary tradition we want to show? Microphones are being used to silence MPs. It stands in direct contradiction with the rituals of this House.” “The same thing happened to MP Shashi Tharoor. He was speaking on February 9, and in the middle of his speech, his mic was switched off. It is said that the opposition must have its say... But how can we say when you switch off the mic? Tharoor stated that his mic was switched off, which has never happened before,” he said.