No-confidence motion: BJD likely to abstain from voting

New Delhi, July 20: All eyes would be on two parties as the Lok Sabha takes up the no-confidence motion against the BJP led NDA government on Friday. The parties to watch out for are the BJD and AIADMK, which are not part of the NDA or the joint opposition.

Sources tell OneIndia that the BJD with 20 MPs is likely to abstain from voting. BJP president, Amit Shah and reached out to the BJD, TRS and the AIADMK ahead of the exercise.

The AIADMK has said that it would not support the no-confidence motion. Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister, E Palanisami said that the motion was brought about for a special status for Andhra Pradesh. When we were protesting about issues pertaining to Tamil Nadu, none supported us and hence we will not support this motion, he also said.

The Shiv Sena has however decided to keep the suspense alive. After Shah reached out to Udhav Thackeray, the party had said that it would support the government. However later on, it said that it has withdrawn the whip and would take a final call today.

The BJP sounded extremely confident about the winning the motion. Party leader, Ananth Kumar said that the BJP does not only enjoy the confidence in Parliament, but in the entire nation.

The debate in the Lok Sabha would begin at 11 am today. Rahul Gandhi, the Congress president is likely to speak first. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will respond to the opposition, shortly before the voting is held.