‘Not interested in running the House’: Tharoor targets govt, Speaker

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday accused the BJP-led NDA government and the Lok Sabha Speaker of showing little interest in conducting parliamentary business, after he was unable to speak during the discussion on the Union Budget 2026–27 due to repeated disruptions in the House.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Tharoor said he had come prepared to participate in the budget debate but found no opportunity to do so. “It looks like the government and the Lok Sabha Speaker are not interested in running the House,” he said.

Tharoor also pointed out that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was not present in the Lok Sabha at the time. “I think they knew that the House would be adjourned,” he remarked.

When asked about the Opposition’s reported move to bring a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Tharoor said the decision was not his to make and that the matter rested with the party leadership.

Meanwhile, the Opposition is likely to move a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, sources said on Monday, amid escalating tensions in Parliament and repeated disruptions during the Budget Session.

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon shortly after Question Hour began, with Speaker Birla accusing Opposition members of “planned disruptions”. As MPs raised issues demanding immediate discussion, Birla said these matters could be taken up during the debate on the Union Budget 2026–27, adding that all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, would get an opportunity to speak.

Despite this, disruptions continued, forcing the adjournment of the House.