Lok Sabha sees heated debate as Modi government faces no-confidence motion.

No-confidence motion against The Modi Government was defeated after a six-hour debate on Covid-19, farmers, and security.

The Modi government faced a tough challenge in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, as the opposition moved a no-confidence motion against it. The motion was mainly based on the unrest in Manipur, where different communities have been fighting over land and identity. The opposition also raised issues such as the Covid-19 crisis, the farmers’ agitation, and the national security situation. The government defended its record and accused the opposition of spreading falsehoods, creating disorder, and disrupting the parliament. The debate lasted for six hours and saw heated exchanges between leaders of both sides. Prime Minister Modi also spoke at the end and ridiculed the opposition for not having faith in their own motion. The motion was later defeated by a voice vote, and the government survived. The no-confidence motion was the 28th such motion to be admitted in the Lower House, and all of them have either been rejected or remained inconclusive.

A no-confidence motion is a statement or vote that expresses whether a person or a group of people in a position of responsibility, such as the government or the management, is still fit to hold that position. It is usually moved by the opposition parties when they are dissatisfied with the performance or actions of the ruling party. If the motion is passed by a majority of the members of the House, then the government or the management has to resign and make way for a new one.

In India, a no-confidence motion can only be moved in the Lok Sabha, which is the directly elected House of Parliament. The motion has to be supported by at least 50 MPs to be admitted for discussion. The motion is then debated and voted upon by all the members of the House. The government has to prove its majority by getting more than half of the votes in its favour. If it fails to do so, it has to step down.

 

The no-confidence motion was moved by Congress parliamentarian Gaurav Gogoi on behalf of the newly-formed opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), which comprises parties such as Congress, TMC, DMK, SP, BSP, AAP, RJD, NCP, CPI(M), CPI, Shiv Sena, JMM, TRS, YSRCP, and others. The motion was supported by at least 50 MPs to be admitted for discussion. The motion was not aimed at bringing down anything but to resurrect India’s “founding principles”, said Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of Congress. He said it was time for polarisation to quit India.

The debate on the no-confidence motion began on Tuesday and continued till Thursday. It saw the participation of 60 members from both sides. The opposition accused the government of failing to protect the people of Manipur from violence and neglecting their rights and aspirations. They also criticized the government for mishandling the Covid-19 pandemic, ignoring the farmers’ protests, compromising national security, and undermining democratic institutions. They demanded answers from the Prime Minister on these issues.

The government countered the opposition’s charges and claimed they had taken several steps to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. It also highlighted its achievements in various sectors such as health, agriculture, defense, economy, and social welfare. It accused the opposition of politicizing the Manipur issue and creating chaos in the parliament. It said that the opposition had moved the no-confidence motion only to create a delusion despite having a majority in the House.

Prime Minister Modi also spoke at the end of the debate and slammed the opposition for not having confidence in their own motion. He said that the motion was a blessing in disguise for him as it gave him an opportunity to expose the opposition’s lies and hypocrisy. He said India stands with Manipur and called the northeast a “piece of our heart”. He also defended his government’s record on Covid-19 management, farmers’ welfare, national security, and development. He said that his government was working for “sab ka saath, sab ka vikas, sab ka vishwas” (everyone’s support, everyone’s development, everyone’s trust). He also mocked the opposition for being divided and directionless.

The motion was later put to vote by voice vote and was defeated by a huge margin. The government survived the no-confidence motion with ease. This was the 28th no-confidence motion to be admitted in the Lok Sabha since 1952.  All of them have either been rejected or remained inconclusive.