Rama Krishna Sangem
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to easily win the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition INDIA in Lok Sabha on August 10, Thursday. As per a schedule issued finalised by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) in the chamber of LS Speaker Om Birla on August 1, Tuesday, the no trust motion will be taken up for debate for three days – on August 8, 9 and 10.
PM Modi will reply to the debate on the last day, August 10 evening. After that there will be voting, if INDIA parties insist. Otherwise, they will stage a walk out and the motion would be defeated by a voice vote. So far, BRS and AIMIM gave a separate notice for no trust motion which will be clubbed with that of INDIA. So far, YCP stated it would support the Modi government, but what other opposition parties – TDP, BSP, JD(S) and BJD will do is not clear.
As per the an earlier plan, Parliament will conclude monsoon session by August 11, Friday. But now, after the no-trust motion is rejected, both the Houses adjourn sine die. The no-confidence motion by INDIA is mainly to highlight the burning problem of Manipur, the northeast state engulfed in violence for over three months. The opposition insisted that the PM should make a statement on Manipur.
Bur, Modi hasn’t done that. On the other hand, Home Minister Amit Shah who visited Manipur offered a debate on the issue, which was turned down by INDIA. As the stalemate continued, INDIA gave notice for no confidence motion against PM Modi (his council of ministers). The challenge was accepted by the government which is cocksure of its comfortable majority in LS. Moreover, the opposition is not united on this issue.
Manipur slur will stick on
None believes that this no-confidence motion will win. Moreover, PM Modi will utilise the opportunity to reply to the three day debate on the motion in LS, to tell people about his achievements and intentions. All the points he has been making against INDIA and Congress in the last few months will find a place in his detailed reply. We all know, a no-trust motion, if moved by an opposition without numbers, is a gift to the ruling party.
Still, PM Modi will have to answer to the atrocities against women in Manipur. There has been an international uproar on this issue. Even the issue figured at United Nations too. Rights activists from the US and Europe have voiced their concern over horrifying videos from Manipur which India in poor light. Economically growing at a faster rate is not a compensation for poor human rights conditions.
Even Supreme Court of India too voiced concern over Manipur situation, especially violence and atrocities against women and religious minorities. Sad enough, some BJP leaders and their supporters are comparing Manipur with similar violence elsewhere – Bengal, Kerala etc. Wherever or in whatever, form violence happens, it is the job of the Centre to contain it, not to instigate counter violence or find excuses.
Even after winning the no-trust motion, Manipur continues to be a minus point to PM Modi, unless he restores normalcy and peace immediately there.
