Opposition Submits No-Confidence Motion Against PM Modi Govt In Lok Sabha

The Opposition alliance INDIA has moved a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi-led central government on the Manipur issue in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore had told news agency PTI that Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi will move the motion.

Although the decision to move the no-confidence motion is that of the united opposition, Gogoi, who is an MP from Assam, will move the motion, he said.

''The INDIA alliance is together and this is the idea of the INDIA alliance. Congress party's leader will be moving the motion. We feel that it is our duty to use this last weapon to break the arrogance of the government and make them speak on Manipur,'' Tagore asserted. He said the notice for the motion was submitted in the Speaker's office at 9.20 am on Wednesday. Tagore said the opposition had decided to move the no-confidence motion to break the arrogance of the prime minister, whonis not speaking in Parliament.

Speaking to ANI, RJD MP Manoj Jha said, "...We know that the numbers are not in our favour but democracy is not just about numbers. Manipur is burning and people are waiting for the PM to speak...Perhaps under the pretext of No Confidence Motion, he can be made to speak something. That will be the biggest achievement..."

BRS MP Nama Nageswara Rao said, "We have moved the No Confidence Motion on behalf of our party. Since the commencement of the session all Opposition leaders had been demanding discussion on Manipur issue. If the PM speaks on this, there will be peace among people of the country - so we made efforts...So, today this Motion has been moved..."

Revolutionary Socialist Party MP NK Premchandran says, "This is not the question of numbers. It is the question of the Constitutional propriety of the Prime Minister of the country to attend the Parliament and address it. It is unfortunate that the Opposition is forced to move a No Confidence Motion so as to have the presence of the Prime Minister. It is strange, the country has never seen such a situation..."

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal says, "...Let the No Confidence Motion come, Government is ready for every situation. We do want a discussion on Manipur...Before the commencement of the session, they wanted a discussion. When we agreed, they brought up the issue of Rules. When we reached an agreement on Rules, they brought in the new issue that the PM come and initiate discussion. I think these are all excuses..."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "People have confidence in PM Modi and BJP. They brought a No Confidence Motion in the last term as well. People of this country taught them a lesson."

The alliance of 26 opposition parties, INDIA, had decided to move the motion in order to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak in Parliament on the Manipur violence, senior leaders of the front said.

The Congress has also issued a whip in the Lower House of Parliament for its members to be present in its parliamentary office by 10.30 am on Wednesday to ''discuss some important issues''. Although the no-confidence motion by opposition parties is bound to fail the numbers test, opposition parties argue that they will win the battle of perception by cornering the government on the Manipur issue during the debate.

They contend that it is also a strategy to make the prime minister speak in Parliament on the crucial matter even as the government has been insisting that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reply to the debate on the Manipur situation. Meanwhile, the opposition parties met at the chamber of the Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday to chalk out future course of action.