Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday claimed that around 20 to 25 Congress MPs entered the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chamber and verbally abused him, triggering fresh political tension in Parliament.

Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said he was personally present during the incident and praised the Speaker’s restraint. “The Speaker is a very soft person. Otherwise, strict action would have been taken,” he said.

Rijiju further alleged that senior Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal, were also inside the chamber at the time and were encouraging party MPs to confront the Speaker. “They were encouraging them to fight,” he claimed.

The remarks came just a day after Congress formally moved a no-confidence motion against Om Birla. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the notice was submitted at 1:14 pm on Tuesday under parliamentary rules. According to party sources, the motion has been backed by 118 MPs.

Opposition leaders have accused the Speaker of “blatantly partisan” conduct, claiming that members from non-BJP parties were not being allowed to speak in the House.

According to Lok Sabha Secretariat sources, the discussion on the motion is likely on March 9, the first day of the second part of the Budget Session.