The notices of no-confidence against the government could not be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Monday following the ruckus created by the TRS and the AIADMK. The two parties, who were later accused by the Opposition of acting at the government’s behest, had taken to the Well of the House raising separate demands.
A no-confidence motion does not carry a time-frame, and there is high probability that the Lok Sabha will be adjourned sine die this week, given that the main business — the Finance Bill and the Appropriation Bill — had been passed, and without discussion. The House’s proceedings have been washed out in all 11 days of the present session.
The math
With 272 seats, the ruling BJP is confident of defeating the motion on its own — its allies in the National Democratic Alliance make up another 40. The party has been dismissive of the motions being spearheaded by former ally TDP and its arch-rival, the YSR Congress.
Both the Andhra Pradesh parties have asserted that the people of the State have lost confidence in the Centre after the State was denied Special Category Status and adequate financial support.
A no-confidence motion is admitted if it has the backing of 50 MPs.
The Congress, with its 48 MPs, is supporting the motion along with the CPI(M) (9), the Samajwadi Party (5), and the Trinamool Congress (34). The TDP has 16 MPs and the YSRC, 9.
But though there is enough and more support for the admission of the motion, the ruling alliance has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha. The AIADMK, with 37 MPs, seems to be in the government’s camp.
The BJP’s oldest ally, the Shiv Sena, has been giving out mixed signals, and may ask its 18 MPs to abstain.
The YSR Congress, in the meantime, submitted a fresh notice for no-confidence, to be considered on Tuesday.
AIADMK, TRS stall business
Raising random demands such as “linking MNREGA to farm labour” and “increasing limit for reservation”, TRS MPs had gathered in the Well even before the House convened at 11 am on Monday. The AIADMK joined in, raising slogans demanding the constitution of the Cauvery Water Management Board. The Speaker adjourned the House till 12 pm only minutes after it had assembled.
The same performance was repeated at 12 with the TRS and AIADMK leading protests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not in the House, although Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP veterans LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad sat throughout the proceedings. The Home Minister intervened amid the din, asserting that the government was ready to debate all issues, including the two no-trust motions, provided there was order in the House.
As the din continued, the Speaker said, “I have not admitted any no-confidence motion. I am duty-bound to take up the notices for these motions. But unless the House is in order, I cannot do it.” The Speaker then adjourned the House till Tuesday.
Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ramgopal Yadav accused the government of using the AIADMK to disrupt the House. “The Opposition is ready for a discussion on a no-confidence motion, but it seems that the AIADMK is acting at the behest of the Centre and not letting the House function,” he alleged.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, in the meantime, maintained that the government is “absolutely confident” of winning the no-trust motion.