MP Asaduddin Owaisi raises an interesting point of order to cite rules and says that when a motion to remove the Speaker is being discussed, the Speaker doesn’t have the power to preside over the proceedings. He says no deputy Speaker has been appointed and the person in the Chair has also come with the approval of the Speaker and so can not proceed to preside over the motion. He demands to take consensus of the House on whom should preside over the proceedings before moving to debate the motion.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey intervenes to say that the rules say that anybody in the Chair has similar powers as the Speaker and are allowed to preside over the proceedings. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also echoes the comments.
Congress MP K.C. Venugopal slams the government for not appointing a deputy Speaker. He also demands to take the consensus of the House before the debate begins.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad now says that the person in the Chair has full rights to preside the proceedings.
Mr. Pal, in the Chair, finally concludes that the Speaker’s post is not vacant and therefore has the authority to conduct the proceedings. Several members try to raise points of order but Mr. Pal says they will be allowed to raise it later.
Congress MP Mr. Mohammed Jawed now moves the motion for removal of Speaker Om Birla.
