Parliament Monsoon Session 2023 Highlights: The debate on the Opposition’s no-confidence motion concluded for the day as the Lok Sabha was adjourned a little after 6 PM. The debate, which began at 12 noon today, saw a heated war of words as the Opposition tried to corner the Centre on Manipur and a host of other issues. This is the second no-confidence motion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing since 2014.
Also Read: No-confidence motion: Third for the BJP – all came year before Lok Sabha elections
The Congress, which had listed Rahul Gandhi as their opening speaker for the debate, withdrew his name at the last minute, leading to remarks by the Treasury benches. Tuesday was Rahul’s second day in Parliament after his membership was restored following a Supreme Court order staying his conviction in a case of criminal defamation in the ‘Modi surname case. Congress sources have now indicated that Rahul will only speak on the no-trust vote when the PM is present in the House.
Also Read: ‘Will hit a sixer at the last ball’: PM Modi’s jibe at Opposition’s no-confidence motion
The no-confidence motion has served as a launchpad for the Opposition’s INDIA bloc which united in one voice to condemn the Centre’s handling of the Manipur issue and demand that the Prime Minister sack Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh for allowing the law and order situation in the state to collapse in the state. While leaders like Gaurav Gogoi, Saugata Roy, Supriya Sule and Manish Tewari were among those who spoke in favour of the no-confidence motion, Kiren Rijiju, Pinaki Mishra, Nishikant Dubey were among those who opposed it.
Also Read: What is Sansad TV row which sparked outrage in Lok Sabha during no-confidence motion debate?
Parliament Monsoon Session Day 14 HIGHLIGHT: The no-confidence motion was taken up for discussion in the Lok Sabha today. The House saw a heated exchange between the BJP and INDIA bloc MPs. Here are the highlights from Day 1 of the discussion on the no-trust vote in Parliament.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, “PM took a 'maun vrat' to not speak in the Parliament. So, we had to bring the No Confidence Motion to break his silence. We have three questions for him – 1) Why did he not visit Manipur to date? 2) Why did it take almost 80 days to finally speak on Manipur and when he did speak it was just for 30 seconds? 3) Why has the CM not sacked the Manipur CM so far?”
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi says, "PM took a 'maun vrat' to not speak in the Parliament. So, we had to bring the No Confidence Motion to break his silence. We have three questions for him – 1) Why did he not visit Manipur to date? 2) Why did it take almost 80 days to finally speak… pic.twitter.com/aILFF6UW6G
— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2023
While leading the debate on the no-confidence motion moved against the BJP government over the Manipur issue, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi asked, “'Why is PM Modi silent on the Manipur issue?”
While speaking in the Lok Sabha, Gogoi further asked, “Why hasn't the Manipur CM N Biren Singh been sacked?”
Not Rahul Gandhi, but Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi initiated the debate on no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha which was met with vehement protests from the BJP.
Speaking at the BJP parliamentary party meeting ahead of the no-trust motion in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the party MPs that they do not need to worry because “we will hit a sixer at the last ball”, apparently referring to his reply to the motion which will come on August 10 after the 16-hour debate.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday adjourned the Upper House till 12 noon.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien was suspended from Rajya Sabha for remaining Monsoon Session on Tuesday.
Congress MP Manish Tewari on Tuesday gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha, demanding to discuss the border situation with China.
Congress MPs Syed Naseer Hussain, Imran Pratapgarhi, Rajeev Shukla and Jebi Mather & Ranjeet Ranjan, RJD MP Manoj Jha, AAP MP Raghav Chadha, gave Suspension of Business notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss the situation in Manipur.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till noon today, amid a ruckus during proceedings.
Ahead of the no-confidence motion debate scheduled today in Lok Sabha, parties belonging to the Opposition-bloc INDIA met at the Rajya Sabha LoP office on Tuesday morning.
INDIA parties' floor leaders meeting will be held today at the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge's office in Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the Floor of the House.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is likely to open the discussion on the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha today. Party MPs Gaurav Gogoi, Manish Tewari and Deepak Baij to follow.
#WATCH | Delhi | Parliamentary Party meeting of the BJP is underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also present at the meeting.
— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2023
Discussion on the No Confidence Motion will begin in Lok Sabha today. pic.twitter.com/61Cagjela5
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will commence the debate on the no-confidence motion on Tuesday in the Lok Sabha, which was initiated against the BJP-led government on July 26. Subsequently, other Congress MPs, Gaurav Gogoi – who moved the motion – and Manish Tewari, will continue the discussion.
The discussion on the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha will start at 12 pm today, and go on till 7 pm. The schedule will remain the same for three days till August 10, and on the last day, PM Modi will respond to the no-confidence motion at 4 pm.
On August 9, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also intervene in the discussion, according to media reports.
In the House, where the halfway mark is 272, the BJP's strength alone is 301. With NDA allies, the ruling party is expected to sail through this test. The BJP has issued a three-line whip for its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in the House from August 7 to August 11.
Parliament has been marred by disruptions since the start of the Monsoon Session on July 20, with the Opposition moving a no-confidence motion and demanding a statement by PM Modi in the House on the Manipur crisis.
