Will decide on any notice to remove CEC according to rules: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

NEW DELHI: Amid speculation that the opposition may make a fresh move for the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Thursday said he would take a decision according to rules and procedures when he receives such a notice.Both the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairman had rejected previous notices from the opposition, saying their allegations “do not prima facie meet the high constitutional bar for removal proceedings”.Birla noted the process for removal of the chief election commissioner was the same as for removing a Supreme Court judge.Amid protests from the opposition and activist groups, Birla also emphasised India’s democratic strength, saying democracy was ingrained in the country’s fabric. “Whatever happens in the world has an impact in India. It will be our effort that the world benefits from our system of dialogue and free speech,” he said ahead of India hosting the 12th Brics parliamentary forum on Oct 26-27. PM Modi will interact with the delegates at the event.

Birla was replying to a question about ongoing protests but parried further queries regarding the politics around the agitation, which is critical of EC and govt, saying these should be directed to political parties.With Congress criticising govt for not proroguing Parliament’s monsoon session, which was adjourned indefinitely on Aug 13, Birla said Article 85 of the Constitution comprehensively covers the issue and noted there were past instances of a session not being prorogued for a longer period. The Speaker had no role in this, he added.Congress has said the decision to not prorogue the session, which will allow govt to reconvene Parliament at a short notice, was deliberate as NDA was trying to cobble together a two-thirds majority to revive its constitutional amendment bill to roll out women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies from 2029 with delimitation to increase the strength of the lower House by nearly 50%.Official sources said a Parliament session, when not prorogued, could be summoned at a three-day notice.