The opposition alliance has moved a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha, knowing full well that the ruling dispensation is more than comfortably placed in the lower house with regard to numbers. The opposition’s strategy is to use the no trust move as a way to corner the Modi regime and also showcase the new-found unity of the INDIA parties.
The constituents of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIQ) took a decision in their meeting on parliamentary strategy on Tuesday that they would bring a no-confidence motion against the Modi government. Congress’ Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, a prominent political face from the Northeast, gave the notice for the motion. KCR-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has also filed a notice for a no-confidence motion separately.
The choice of Gogoi as the MP piloting the move is significant, considering that the main issue on which the opposition alliance is seeking a response from the government, more specifically the prime minister himself, is the continuing unrest in Manipur. The government has thus far maintained that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reply to the debate on the situation in Manipur.
“INDIA alliance is aware of its numbers in the Lok Sabha, but this is not just about numbers. This is about Manipur’s fight for justice,” said Gogoi. He said the move was meant to convey the alliance’s solidarity with the people of Manipur and to force the prime minister to come to Parliament and speak on the issue.
It is a given that the government has the numbers on its side. The opposition is looking to use the no-confidence motion as a way to corner the government, and claim moral victory. It will be an opportunity for the opposition parties to talk about not just Manipur but also other issues.
The majority figure in the Lok Sabha stands at 272. The BJP-led NDA is more than comfortably placed with more than 320 members. The BJP alone has 303 MPs in the lower house. The INDIA parties together have 141 MPs.
The no-confidence move is also a means to showcase the unity of the INDIA parties, which have in this session so far shown remarkable cohesion and pursued a common strategy.
The Parliament session came close on the heels of 26 opposition parties at their meeting in Bengaluru deciding to call the alliance INDIA. At that meeting, it was felt that the parties should make maximum use of the Monsoon Session to corner the government and display unity of purpose.
The Modi government had faced a no-confidence motion in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2019, too. In 2018, a no-confidence motion was brought against the Modi regime by former ally Telugu Desam Party, and the government won by 325 to 126 votes.
“People have confidence in PM Modi and the BJP. They brought a no-confidence motion in the last term as well. The people of this country taught them a lesson,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.
