No-trust vote: Second day of debate on opposition's no-confidence motion
Opposition triggers No-Confidence Motion to prompt PM discussion on Manipur despite numerical disadvantage in Trust Debate
Manipur Unrest: The Lok Sabha witnessed a vigorous debate as the Opposition presented a No-Confidence Motion against the BJP-led government, accusing it of exacerbating divisions in Manipur. Here are the key developments:
Opposition's No-Confidence Motion: Despite being in the minority, the Opposition brought a No-Confidence Motion to pressure Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the Manipur issue. The state has taken the forefront during this monsoon session.
Manipur in Spotlight: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi initiated the debate, highlighting the need to break Prime Minister Modi's "silence" on Manipur. He criticized the government for creating "two Manipurs" - one in the hills and another in the valley.
PM Modi's Response: Prime Minister Modi is set to respond to the debate on Thursday. During a BJP Parliamentary Party meeting, he emphasized that the vote is about internal trust within the opposition, not distrust in the government.
"INDIA" Alliance: The opposition parties collectively referred to as INDIA alliance faced criticism from PM Modi, accusing them of rebranding to conceal their past as the UPA.
Ministerial Participation: Key ministers like Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Smriti Irani, and Jyotiraditya Scindia are expected to speak. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju argued that the timing of the motion is inappropriate considering India's global stature.
Rahul Gandhi's Intervention: Rahul Gandhi, after his return to parliament, will address the issue. His criminal defamation case over the "Modi Surname" remark was stayed by the Supreme Court.
Manipur Discussion: Amid a debate on the Delhi Services bill, Home Minister Amit Shah accused the Opposition of evading a Manipur discussion. He challenged them to make the bill fall through voting.
Interrupted Session: Ongoing opposition protests disrupted the session that commenced on July 20. The opposition stressed the urgency of addressing Manipur's violence and displacement.
Government's Defense: The government pointed out that after previous violence in Manipur, there were instances of no parliamentary statement or a junior home minister's statement.
Vote Breakdown: The Lok Sabha comprises 539 members, with a majority mark of 270. The BJP and its allies have 332 votes, while the opposition INDIA alliance has 143. Other parties like BRS, YSRCP, and BJD are also expected to support the government.
The No-Trust Motion debate revolves around Manipur's concerns and the opposition's attempt to hold the government accountable amidst rising tensions and inflation concerns.
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