Lok Sabha functions under rules; will continue to run with fairness: Birla
New Delhi (PTI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said the House functions strictly under its rules and regulations and will continue to do so, irrespective of whether it is acceptable to any member, and asserted that he would conduct the proceedings with sincerity and fairness.
A day after a motion seeking his removal as Speaker was defeated in the House, Birla also said that the Chair does not belong to any one individual but is a symbol of the prestige of the House.
Birla said he was grateful to the members of the House for the faith reposed in him during debate and thanked all those who spoke in favour of him as well as against him.
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"The House has been running with rules and regulations and will continue to function in future, irrespective of whether it is acceptable to any member or not. I will continue to discharge my duty with all sincerity and impartiality," he said amidst the thumping of desks by the treasury bench members.
Thursday was the first time Birla came to the House to conduct the proceedings since the notice of no confidence was given during the first part of the Budget session, which came to an end on February 13. The second part of the session began on March 9.
The Speaker said during the debate in the last two days, some members said that the Leader of the Opposition is not given enough opportunities to speak, and he should be allowed to speak whenever he wishes and on any subject.
"Everyone has the right to speak in the House, but by following rules and regulations. No member, not even the prime minister or any minister, can speak without the permission of the Chair. No member of the House has the privilege to speak at any time and on any subject. He can speak only when the Chair allows," he said.
Birla said the MPs have the freedom of speech in the House, but they have to follow rules and regulations.
He also addressed allegations that the microphones of some members are switched off when they want to speak.
"I don't have a switch to turn the mic on or off. The mic is put on when a member is given permission to speak by the chair," he said.
Soon after his speech, Birla adjourned the House till 2 pm.
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TVK chief Vijay declares two pending criminal cases in fresh election affidavit
Chennai (PTI): Amid scrutiny, TVK chief Vijay, who had earlier filed an election affidavit with no pending criminal cases, has declared two pending FIRs in a fresh affidavit filed before the returning officer for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections to be held on April 23.
The fresh affidavit, notarised on April 3, was filed on April 4 by a representative, according to sources. It lists two cases in Chennai and Madurai that were not included in the previous document notarised on March 30.
In the latest filing, the actor disclosed FIR number 74 of 2026 registered at the K5 Peravallur Police Station in Chennai for alleged public disturbance during election campaigning on March 30. Vijay stated in the affidavit that he became aware of this case through social media on April 2.
A second FIR, number 108 of 2025 from the Koodakovil Police Station in Madurai district, involves a complaint regarding an incident during a party conference on August 21, 2025. The complainant alleged being pushed and injured by bouncers while attempting to approach the leader during a ramp walk, though Vijay noted he has not yet received a formal summons for the matter.
While the criminal record section saw changes, the financial declarations remained largely consistent across both filings.
Vijay's movable assets are valued at approximately Rs 410.59 crore in the fresh affidavit, compared to the Rs 404.58 crore declared previously. This includes silver articles worth Rs 15 lakh and 883 grams of gold jewellery valued at over Rs 1.20 crore.
The total current market value of his immovable properties, including commercial and residential buildings in locations such as Neelankarai and Saligramam, is estimated at Rs 220.15 crore.
The TVK leader declared a total income of Rs 184.53 crore for the 2024-2025 financial year. He also listed pending income tax demands totaling approximately Rs 3.44 crore across multiple assessment years which are currently under appeal.
Vijay is contesting the elections from the Perambur and Tiruchirapalli East Assembly constituencies. He filed his first nomination for the Perambur Assembly constituency on March 30. He subsequently filed his nomination for the Trichy East constituency on April 2.
The fresh affidavit submitted in Perambur on April 4 was a supplementary filing intended to address discrepancies between the initial Perambur declaration and the one later filed in Tiruchirapalli East. The revised filing ensures the TVK chief remains compliant with Election Commission norms regarding the disclosure of all pending criminal proceedings.
