The opposition has submitted a notice of a no-confidence motion to remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, carrying the signatures of 118 MPs. However, Rahul Gandhi did not sign the notice. After the submission, Birla refrained from presiding over the House proceedings and did not take the Chair on Tuesday.

The opposition has adopted an aggressive stance against Speaker Om Birla and submitted the notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary General. Around 118 MPs from parties such as Congress, DMK, and the Samajwadi Party signed the notice seeking Birla’s removal. Following the notice, Birla recused himself from conducting the House proceedings.

Congress sources said that, keeping in mind the dignity of parliamentary democracy, it was not appropriate for the Leader of the Opposition to sign a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. The opposition moved the notice after alleging that Birla had prevented Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders from speaking during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. The notice claimed that the Speaker’s remarks in the House contained clearly false allegations against Congress members.

According to Congress sources, the decision was taken considering institutional propriety and respect for parliamentary traditions, even as the opposition expressed concern over the functioning of the House. The move reflects the ongoing confrontation between the opposition and treasury benches during the Budget Session.

Congress leader Manickam Tagore B posted on social media, saying, “The opposition has maintained faith in constitutional propriety. While respecting the personal dignity of the Hon’ble Speaker, we are distressed that opposition MPs are repeatedly not being given the opportunity to raise issues of public importance. After many years, a no-confidence notice against the Speaker has been submitted. This is a very necessary step.”

Meanwhile, BJP raised a factual error in the notice, pointing out that the document mentioned the year 2025 instead of the current year, raising questions about the submission’s accuracy. BJP leaders also noted that the notice carries the signatures of 118 MPs supporting the motion.

Earlier, BJP women MPs had written to Speaker Om Birla seeking the strictest action under the rules against opposition MPs over the ruckus in the House on February 4, 2026, alleging that they entered the Well, climbed onto the Speaker’s table, and disrupted proceedings.

Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Gujarat on March 7 and 8, 2025, signals a determined effort by the Congress party's revival in a BJP stronghold, where the party has struggled with organizational weaknesses and political setbacks for years. 

His speeches and meetings with district- and taluka-level Congress leaders focused on strengthening the party's grassroots structure and energizing workers, especially in rural areas. 

Gandhi’s bold statements, including his vow that “Congress will defeat BJP in Gujarat” and his call to expel so called traitors, indicate an attempt at internal cleansing and renewed discipline within the state unit.

Rahul has sparked enthusiasm among Congress workers, many of whom have felt demoralized by the party’s poor performance in state elections—winning only 17 seats in the 2022  compared to BJP’s 156. The party secured just one Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat in 2024. 

The victory in Banaskantha in 2024 had offered some relief, and Rahul Gandhi’s presence is seen as reinforcing that momentum. However, the durability of this enthusiasm remains uncertain, given long-standing issues such as factionalism, defections to BJP, and weak local leadership.

Strategically, Rahul Gandhi’s focus on tribal and rural communities during this visit is notable. These groups represent significant voter bases in eastern Gujarat. His criticism of BJP’s alleged corruption and policies also aims to resonate with voters dissatisfied with the current government. 

Yet, the challenge for Congress lies in translating these high-profile visits and rhetoric into a coherent, ground-level strategy with strong local leadership and effective voter outreach.

From BJP’s perspective, while Rahul Gandhi’s visit and statements might cause some concern, the party’s entrenched organizational strength and dominance in Gujarat make it unlikely that Congress will pose a serious threat in the immediate future. 

However, if Congress manages to consolidate its cadre, address internal issues, and capitalize on local issues effectively, it could influence Gujarat’s political landscape, especially in upcoming local elections.

In summary, Rahul Gandhi’s Gujarat visit breathes new life into the state Congress by boosting morale and signaling a strategic focus on rebuilding the party’s base. Whether this translates into tangible electoral gains depends on organizational reforms, strong local leadership, and effective grassroots mobilization.