No-trust against Modi govt; opposition makes a point

Who says we don’t have the numbers! Sonia on no-trust motion against Modi govt

Opp pushing for no-trust vote to prove point ahead of next year's elections

Agency Report | New Delhi | 18 July, 2018 | 09:00 PM

The government will face a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on Friday - a first in the last 15 years. While the government has the numbers to sail through, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, when asked about the matter, said, "Who says we don't have the numbers". The no-confidence notice, moved by the Congress, Telugu Desam Party and Sharad Pawar's NCP, was attempted in the budget session also. But Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not allow it due to the constant disruption and the government was accused of dodging the issue.

The Congress on Wednesday exuded confidence in mustering the required strength for the success of the Opposition’s no-confidence motion to be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi quipped: “Who said the Opposition doesn’t have the numbers?”

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday accepted a no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against the Narendra Modi government.

Mahajan, who took up the issue after the question hour, said she had received notices from Opposition MPs expressing lack of confidence in the Union Council of Ministers, and that she was duty-bound to put it before the House.
Mahajan said she had received notices from at least six MPs seeking no trust vote against the Narendra Modi government and was duty-bound to put it to the consideration of the House.

She said Kesineni Srinavas of the Telugu Desam Party was the first to give his no-confidence notice and asked members if it can be moved. She asked Srinavas to introduce the motion which was supported by over 50 members, including from the Congress and other opposition MPs.

After she counted the supporters of the motion, Mahajan said the notice has been accepted. She said she has still 10 days to notify the day and time when it would be discussed and put to vote.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the government was ready to face the no-trust motion and asked Mahajan that it may be tabled.

“Everything will be clear after the discussion. I want to make it clear in the House that the people of the country have full confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.”

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asked the Speaker why the other members who had submitted their notices were not allowed to read them.

She said rules allowed her to table the notice that was submitted first. She said she read out the names of these members.

These include Kharge, K.C. Venugopal (Congress), Tariq Anwar (Nationalist Congress Party), N.K. Premachandran (Revolutionary Socialist Party) and Thota Narsimham (TDP). (IANS)