Amid speculation over Special Session, LS Speaker Om Birla says only government can take a call

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla dismissed speculation about a Special Session of Parliament on Thursday, stating that it is the government, through its parliamentary committee, that initiates such a move. The government is required to provide a minimum of three days' notice for a Special Session, similar to the winter session, which has not yet taken place.

Birla, speaking at a press conference for the BRICS Parliamentary Forum to be held in Delhi on October 26-27, emphasized that the Constitution grants the President the power to prorogue either House of Parliament under Article 85, with no role for the Speaker. When questioned about the recent split within the Trinamool Congress, Birla indicated that a decision would be made after both factions submit their responses.

He also noted that a request to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an issue raised by the opposition, would follow the standard parliamentary process if a motion were presented to him. The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, themed "Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development," will feature discussions on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, as well as the role of AI in parliamentary proceedings.