What is a no-confidence motion? Why did the Congress bring it against the Modi govt in the Parliament today?

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), the coalition of opposition parties, has moved a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government today. The notice for no-confidence motion was submitted to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha today before 10:00 AM by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has accepted the notice for the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

If the Speaker is able to ascertain that the motion has the support of at least 50 lawmakers, a date for a debate on the motion and the floor test will be set within the next 10 days.

"I will discuss with the leaders of all parties and inform you of an appropriate time to take this up for discussion," Speaker Om Birla said, according to ANI.

#WATCH | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla allows the No Confidence Motion against Government moved by the Opposition.

Speaker says, "I will discuss with the leaders of all parties and inform of you of an appropriate time to take this up for discussion." pic.twitter.com/vsUmR42Kmz

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2023

Understanding the No-Confidence Motion

In the arena of parliamentary procedures, a no-confidence motion is a potent tool in the hands of the opposition parties. It acts as an explicit vote that expresses Parliament's lack of trust in the incumbent government. However, its significance extends beyond a mere show of dissatisfaction. If passed, it could result in the dissolution of the government.

A ruling party needs to have a majority in Lok Sabha to run the government and a no-confidence motion is moved by the opposition parties to show that the ruling party or alliance no longer enjoys the majority.

A no-confidence motion can only be moved in Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, and requires the support of at least 50 MPs. Once submitted and accepted by the Speaker, the motion leads to a debate within ten days and a vote on the floor of the house. Should the motion gain approval from a majority of the house, the government stands dissolved.

Since India's independence, so far the opposition parties have brought no-confidence motion on 27 occasions, majority of which were against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Yet, in the annals of India's democratic history, only twice it led to the downfall of a government - first, Prime Minister Morarji Desai’s government in 1979, and second time, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government in 1999.

No-confidence motion against Modi government: What the numbers indicate?

The no-confidence motion moved by the coalition of 27 opposition parties, INDIA, comes amid rising tensions in Parliament over the recent violence in Manipur. The opposition has been relentlessly demanding for a statement from PM Modi on the Manipur issue, leading to several disruptions and adjournments in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

As Congress Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, moves the no-confidence motion, many observers perceive this as a strategic move to force the Prime Minister into discussing the Manipur issue in Parliament.

The alliance remains steadfast in its approach despite the daunting odds. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, together with its allies, holds a commanding majority with 340 seats. In contrast, the combined strength of the INDIA alliance and other opposition parties is approximately 149 seats in the Lok Sabha.

Although the numbers predict an uphill battle for the opposition alliance, they see victory in a different light. They aim to win the 'battle of perception' by cornering the government on the Manipur issue during the impending debate.