New Delhi: Parliament is set to reconvene on Monday for the second half of the budget session amid clear signs of confrontation, with the Lok Sabha set to take up an Opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla.
The government and Opposition are also expected to spar over the escalating West Asia conflict involving Iran and Israel-US, while key legislative business, including the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill and the Electricity Amendment Bill, is likely to come up for discussion. The motion seeking the removal of Birla was submitted by several Opposition MPs who alleged that the Speaker had acted in a “blatantly partisan” manner during proceedings in the first half of the session.
The situation in West Asia is expected to trigger an intense debate in Parliament. External affairs minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to make a statement in both Houses on Monday on the situation. Opposition parties have already begun questioning the government’s diplomatic posture amid the tensions involving Iran and Israel-US, and are also raising concerns over the US granting India a waiver related to the purchase of Russian oil.
The government, on its part, is expected to push ahead with pending legislative business. Among the key bills likely to be taken up is the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill. Another major legislative proposal expected to come up is the Electricity Amendment Bill, aimed at reforming the power distribution sector and encouraging greater private participation. Parliament will also take up discussions on Demands for Grants for several ministries in both Houses, an exercise central to the budget process.
Political flashpoints outside Parliament are also likely to spill into the debate. Trinamool MPs are expected to raise the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
