Notice for removal of Speaker under Article 94(c)

• Opposition parties have submitted a notice for moving a resolution to remove Om Birla from the office of Lok Sabha Speaker.

• The notice was submitted under Article 94(c) of the Constitution to Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh on behalf of several opposition parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the DMK.

• They alleged that the Speaker had acted in a “blatantly partisan” manner in conducting the business of the House and “abused” the constitutional office he occupies. 

Article 94(c)

• According to Article 94(c) of the Constitution, the Speaker may be removed from his office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then members of the House.

• The resolution requires a notice period of at least 14 days.

• The chapter 18 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha deals with the resolution for removal of Speaker or Deputy Speaker from office.

• A member wishing to give notice of a resolution, under Article 94(c) of the Constitution, for the removal of the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker shall do so in writing to the Secretary General.

In order that such a resolution may be admissible, it shall satisfy the following conditions:

i) It shall be specific with respect to charges.

ii) It shall be clearly and precisely expressed.

iii) It shall not contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions, imputations or defamatory statements.

• On receipt of a notice, a motion for leave to move the resolution shall be entered in the list of business in the name of the member concerned, on a day fixed by the Speaker, provided that the day so fixed shall be any day after 14 days from the date of the receipt of notice of the resolution.

Previous instances

• In 1954, a no-confidence motion was moved against Lok Sabha Speaker Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar.

• In 1966, a motion was moved against Speaker Sardar Hukum Singh.

• In 1987, a motion was moved against Speaker Balram Jakhar.