New Delhi: The stage is prepared for a contentious and bitter debate on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, scheduled to run from Tuesday to Thursday. During this time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to provide his response.
Since the commencement of the Monsoon Session on July 20, both Houses of Parliament have experienced consistent disruptions. The Opposition’s primary demand has been for Prime Minister Modi to address the Manipur crisis on the parliamentary floor before anything else. The no-confidence motion is being utilized as a strategy to compel the Prime Minister to speak on the matter.
In the Lok Sabha, the motion of no-confidence will be presented by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, with the statement, “That this House expresses its lack of confidence in the Council of Ministers.”
Despite the no-confidence motion being tabled, the Modi government is not at risk due to its substantial numerical advantage. The BJP-led NDA government holds a strong position in the 543-member House, boasting 331 members, of which 303 belong to the BJP. Support also comes from the YSRCP’s 22 MPs and the BJD’s 12 MPs.
In contrast, the newly formed INDIA alliance of 26 Opposition parties, led by the Congress, has 144 MPs. Additionally, it has the support of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) with its 9 MPs.
The Opposition’s intention behind presenting this no-confidence motion, the first during PM Modi’s second term, extends beyond the immediate outcome. This move, as explained by Liz Mathew and Manoj C G, serves as an opportunity to hold a debate that focuses on various issues, including the ongoing Manipur violence, and to press Prime Minister Modi to address these concerns directly in the parliamentary session.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, now reinstated as an MP, is expected to be one of the key speakers from the Opposition’s side during the no-confidence motion discussions. His return was approved by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, making him eligible to participate in parliamentary proceedings. This reinstatement follows his earlier suspension due to a conviction that was later stayed by the Supreme Court.
While the no-confidence motion is poised to bring forth heated debates in the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha is set to consider and pass the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023. This legislation aims to regulate the dental profession in the country, promote quality dental education, and make high-quality oral healthcare accessible.
In other developments, a delegation from the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) is scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to present their key demands, which include a separate political administration and proper burial arrangements for the Kuki-Zo community members who lost their lives in ethnic violence in Churachandpur district, Manipur.
Amid ongoing issues, the situation in Haryana’s Nuh district, where communal violence erupted on July 31, is gradually stabilizing. The Punjab and Haryana High Court halted the demolition drive in Nuh, where “illegally-constructed” buildings were being razed following the clashes. The district has witnessed the removal of such constructions from various locations.
A delegation of Haryana Congress leaders, led by state chief Udai Bhan and CLP leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is planning to visit the violence-affected areas of Nuh. The Congress is demanding a judicial inquiry into the violence.
Lastly, in Thiruvananthapuram, the LDF government is moving a resolution in the Kerala Assembly to urge the Centre to withdraw its plan to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country. Given the widespread opposition to the UCC, the resolution is expected to pass unanimously in the Assembly.
Overall, the upcoming parliamentary sessions promise significant discussions on crucial matters impacting the nation.
