The government enjoys the support of at least 332 lawmakers in Lok Sabha and faces no threat from the no-confidence motion
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday accepted Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)’s notice for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Congress lawmaker Gaurav Gogoi, who is from Assam, earlier at 9:20am submitted the notice as part of the INDIA grouping’s attempt to force Modi to reply on issues including the Manipur violence.
Birla said he will discuss the matter with all parties, and according to the rules. “I will inform you about the schedule for the discussion.”
According to the rules, any no-confidence notice submitted before 10am has to be taken up on the same day.
People aware of the matter said the motion was unlikely to be taken up in Lok Sabha for discussion on Wednesday.
The notice was moved after acrimony and disruptions in Parliament and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s refusal to accept the Opposition’s demand that Modi speak on the Manipur issue.
Leaders of INDIA on Tuesday discussed a proposal to move a no-confidence motion. Trinamool Congress’s Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O’Brien later tweeted: “The overall Parliamentary strategy is in place for the INDIA parties. Tactics to execute that strategy evolve every day. Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha states the procedure of moving a no-confidence motion. Picture abhi baki hai (wait and watch)!”
The government enjoys the support of at least 332 lawmakers in Lok Sabha and faces no threat from the no-confidence motion.
The Congress on Tuesday evening issued a three-line whip asking its lawmakers to be present on Wednesday. Signatures of at least 50 lawmakers supporting the motion is a mandatory requirement under Lok Sabha rules.
On July 20, 2018, the first no-confidence motion against the Modi government was defeated. Telugu Desam Party lawmaker Srinivas Kesineni submitted that motion. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi crossed to the treasury benches and hugged Modi during the debate on that motion.
