Opposition Lets Om Birla Twist in the Wind — The No-Confidence Motion That Wasn’t, and Why That’s the Real Strategy
By MANISH ANAND
New Delhi, March 9, 2026 — The Opposition disappointed the ruling BJP by not moving the no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday. While the government planned for a quickfire dismissal of the motion, the Opposition seemingly struck the strategy to keep the suspense building up.
The first day of the second half of the Budget session had been billed for a potentially rare event — no confidence motion against Birla and a substantive motion against Rahul Gandhi. The promised drama was not staged. The actors stayed on the sidelines. Parliament in place was drowned in a din.
The Opposition has to move the motion against Birla. Until the motion is defeated in the House, Birla will stay away from the Chair. The Opposition seems happy to see Birla away from the Chair. ‘Let that play on’ appears the Opposition strategy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre per Opposition calculus is in the dock on several counts. The unfolding crisis in the Middle East. The popular spotlight on Modi’s foreign policy vis a vis US President Donald Trump’s bullying of allies. The Opposition seems sanguine on pouncing on the government on a handful of issues.
With Birla away from the Chair, his usual ways to force the House with Rule 377 discussion to give a semblance of normalcy takes a backseat. Those who are filling up for him in the chair are not gung-ho to force the House in the business.
With Assembly elections lining up, the Opposition will prefer parliament in turmoil. A normalcy in the two Houses of parliament will showcase Modi government’s comforts. The din adds to the electoral narrative. The Opposition is priming up key electoral battles.
It suits the Opposition to keep Birla waiting for the no confidence motion against him. Longer shelf life of the motion against Birla allows allegations against the Chair for biased conducts will help the belly of the Opposition fired up. That also helps in delaying the substantive motion against Rahul Gandhi on the backburner.
The Opposition will also fire more ammunitions in parliament to put the Modi government in the dock. A motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar adds to the arsenals of the Opposition.
The poll narrative for West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry is shaping up. The BJP portrayed as undemocratic will lift the morale of the Opposition. That seems the key Opposition plank in the second half of the Budget session of parliament.
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