No-confidence motion against NDA government defeated in Lok Sabha
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has survived a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. The motion was defeated in the Lok Sabha through a voice vote. Notably, this is the second time the Modi government has faced a no-confidence motion. The first was moved in 2018 by Srinivas Kesineni of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Why does this story matter?
The opposition moved the motion in July, accusing PM Modi of choosing silence regarding the situation in Manipur. For almost three months, he remained silent on the ethnic clash between the majority Meiteis and tribal Kukis until a video from May 4 surfaced showing two tribal women being allegedly paraded naked. The opposition said it brought the motion to break PM Modi's "maun vrat."
Manipur is burning, India is burning: Gogoi
Opening the debate on Tuesday, Congress Party MP Gaurav Gogoi said, "If Manipur is burning, India is burning...If Manipur is divided, India is divided." The conflict erupted on May 3 after Kukis protested a demand by Meiteis for Schedule Tribe status, which would allow them to acquire land in the hills populated by Kukis and other tribal groups and share government jobs.
Motion was certain to be defeated
The result does not come as much of a surprise as the NDA has a commendable majority of 331 MPs, with the BJP accounting for 330. In comparison, the opposition bloc, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), has 144 MPs. Reportedly, the no-confidence motion against the Modi government was defeated by a voice vote after the opposition staged a walkout.
BJP will secure 'grand victory' in 2024 general elections: Modi
In fact, while delivering his speech, PM Modi oozed confidence in winning the 2024 general elections. "In a way, the opposition's no-confidence has always been lucky for us." "Today, I can see that you (the opposition) have decided that NDA and BJP will come back in the 2024 elections with a grand victory," he said. He spoke for two hours and 13 minutes.
Opposition's no-confidence has always been lucky for us: PM
Congress mother of all issues in Northeast: Modi
He then turned his attack toward the Congress, stating that the party is the mother of all issues in the Northeast. "I want to say this with absolute seriousness that the Congress is the mother of all issues of Northeast. People of Northeast are not responsible for it, it is their (Congress') politics," he said.
India stands with Manipur, says PM Modi
However, PM Modi did not provide much clarity on what initiatives and decisions will be taken to ameliorate the situation in Manipur. "I want to assure people of the country that peace will be restored and Manipur will move ahead with new self-confidence. I urge people of Manipur and I want to tell the women of Manipur that the country stands with them."
Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of dividing Manipur
The discussion on the no-confidence motion began on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Congress leader and recently reinstated MP Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of dividing Manipur into two parts. "Their politics have not killed Manipur. They have murdered India in Manipur," he said. He compared PM Modi to "Raavan" and called him "arrogant" for not listening to the voices of the people.
What is there conflict in Manipur
The violence was preceded by the High Court ruling, which granted the majority Meiteis "scheduled tribal status." This presented them the same economic benefits and quotas in government positions and education as the minority Kukis. Meities constitute approximately 60% of the population but occupy only 10% of the total geographical area. The remainder, which is comprised of hill districts, belongs to the tribals.
Reasons why Meities want ST status
The Meiteis assert that they were recognized as a tribe prior to the 1949 merger of the princely state of Manipur with the Union of India but that they lost their identity as a tribe after the merger. Also contributing to the conflict are allegations of illegal immigration. They allege that "illegal immigrants from Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh" were marginalizing "Manipur's indigenous people."
