INDIA plans no-confidence motion against Centre in Parliament: Reports
What's the story
The opposition bloc Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is planning to move a no-confidence motion against the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the ongoing Monsoon Session in the Parliament, said reports. The final decision on submitting the notice will reportedly be taken on Wednesday when the opposition leaders meet Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The opposition has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of avoiding a discussion on Manipur to hide its failures. The stalemate between the government and the opposition has badly impacted the Parliament's Monsoon Session. Notably, after nearly three months of ethnic conflict, the Manipur situation took center stage last week when a video of two women paraded naked and allegedly sexually abused went viral.
Details
No-confidence motion discussed at INDIA meeting on Monday
The joint opposition alliance—INDIA—comprising 26 parties, discussed the proposal of a "no-confidence motion against the Centre" at a meeting held on Monday. Alliance leaders have been demanding that PM Modi should address both Houses of the Parliament over the situation in Manipur. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha LoP and Congress President Kharge took to Twitter, saying the alliance demands answers from the Centre on Manipur violence.
Twitter Post
Check out Kharge's post on Twitter
83 days of unabated violence in Manipur requires the Prime Minister to make a comprehensive statement in the Parliament. Stories of absolute horror are now slowly trickling down.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 25, 2023
INDIA demands answers from the Modi Govt on Manipur violence.
The situation in Northeast is… pic.twitter.com/N8eZTfB9ZK
Reports
Opposition alliance partners onboard with decision: Report
According to PTI, all opposition parties support the plan to move a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. The opposition's tactic of putting the administration in a difficult position over Manipur is expected to be used in the Rajya Sabha, too. The opposition reportedly believes that this would be an effective method to force the government to start a discussion on the Manipur issue.
Response
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi mocks opposition's possible move
Separately, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi mocked the opposition's possible no-confidence motion proposal saying a similar motion in 2019 helped the BJP increase seats. "Let them bring a no-confidence motion this time also...we will win more than 350 seats," he said. Notably, the BJP enjoys an overwhelming majority in the Lok Sabha; it will pass the trust vote, possibly causing embarrassment to the opposition.