Parliament Monsoon Session updates | Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Modi government defeated in Lok Sabha

Proceedings will resume at 11.00 a.m. on Friday.

Speaker Om Birla calls out Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and BJP MP Virendra Singh for unruly behaviour in the House.

While the BJP MP defends himself, Parliamentary Affairs Minister attacks Mr. Chowdhury and introduces a motion to suspend the LoP. The motion is passed.

The motion was introduced by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi who was not present in the House to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his speech.

Further, taking a jibe at the opposition, he says the opposition kept his word of bringing a no-confidence motion against him in 2023. “But I am disheartened that notwithstanding the five years they had, there was no innovation or creativity in their motion - it seemed they were not prepared,” adding, “we will give them another opportunity in 2028. But I would urge them to please bring some concrete issues and do some homework. At least the country would be assured that they are worthy of opposition.”

India is full of optimism and hope, and is dedicated to nation-building and welfare, Mr. Modi adds. He says contemporary India does not fall under pressure because it is confident about itself. “There is an opportunity to take the country forward, if you cannot support it, stay silent. If you cannot, please do not try to deceive the nation.”

Mr. Modi concludes his address by stating that the opportunity allowed him the opportunity to enlist the achievements of his government. However, the motion is something and amounts to misdirecting the country.

“We never thought in our lives that we would be able to reach this place (the parliament). But this is the country’s faith in us that has led us here. Thus, I assure the people of the country that I would dedicate every inch of my body for the country and its people,” he told the house.

The situation in Manipur has been presented to have originated in the past few days, Prime Minister Modi observed. “If there is any source of all turbulence in the Northeast, it is not the people of Northeast, but Congress’ politics,” he added.

He alleged that Manipur’s rich heritage was compromised because of extremism that was inefficitently handled by the Congress.

Mr Modi that realising the importance of the Northeast in the evolving global world, his government has been investing in civic infrasturcuture in the Northeast.

PM Modi stated that the house was with the people of Manipur. “We will together find a solution and peace will prevail again. And we will leave no stone unturned to expedite the pace of development of Manipur,” Mr Modi stated.

He also expressed his displeasure on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks against Bharat Mata on Wednesday. Further, he observed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ceeding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. Mr Modi held that was an attack on the spirit of India.

Mr Modi further stated that he assures the people of the country that he would position India among the world’s top-three economies, which is not possible with the opposition alliance.

Prime Minister Modi, referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, said the Congress tries to relaunch a failed product each time. In a reference to Mr Gandhi’s repeated references to “Mahobbat ki Dukaan”, Mr Modi said that they should be ashamed of having compromised on the army’s integrity, emergency and 1984 Sikh riots.

Stating that the opposition cannot tolerate the fact that a person from a modest background like him becoming PM, he elaborated that the opposition was “naamdaar” while the treasury was “kaamdaar”.

Mr Modi also stated that the alliance has sizeable Prime Minister contenders and are now conviently becoming friends with their once rivals. “Existing conditions dictate that you are walking hands in hands, but the moment conditions change, knives too might come out,” Mr Modi stated.

He said that India’s historial leaders have always opposed dynasty politics as detrimental for country’s merits and talent. Mr Modi accused the Congress of however favouring the same and creating a “durbar” system (imperial court). “They have snatched opportunities from same people,” he said.

“UPA believe that using the country’s would lend them credibility. But a Tamil Nadu minister has stated that India does not matter to them and according to him, Tamil Nadu is not a part of India,” adding, “I want to tell you that Tamil Nadu is a land of patriots like MGR, Kamaraj and Abdul Kalam, and the alliance which has people with such ideas, please do contemplate if you posses the bandwidth, where this (alliance) would end up.”

Referring to Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Nagaland, West Bengal and Odisha, among others, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the mentioned states have already expressed their “no-confidence”. As members from the treasury repeated the same in chorus, members from the opposition benches started sloganeering “INDIA, INDIA” and reiterating a stance on Manipur.

Referring to objections about India becoming the third-largest economy and assertions that it was to happen inevitably with existing structure, PM Modi said it reflected their lack of intent, understanding and strucutural planning.

He said this would be attained through “perform, transform and reform”.

Prime Minister Modi enumurated that he himself expemplied the notion. Further, he pointed to the opposition’s assertions about a collapsing banking sector. Mr Modi said that public sector banks instead registered a net-profit of more than 2%. He also said the country was also able to overcome the NPA burden.

He told the house that his government has given the country a corruption-free government, supported the will (of the population) to grow by giving them opporuntieis and incentive alongside improving the structural balance of the country. He said the world too is now acknowledging of the fact and is looking to India with optimisim. “But what did the opposition do? In the guise an unsuccesful no-confidence motion, tried to break the trust of the country,” he said pointing to increasing startups and rising FDI.

Prime Minister elaborated that the poverty is falling in the country at a massive good, pointing to a NITI Aayog report, he said that 13.5 crore people emerged out of poverty. To elaborate further his notion, he informed the house about International Monetary Fund and the World Health Organisation’s observation about Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) and its poverty.

He said the opposition not able to bear with this.

Reiterating his previous stance from 2018, Mr Modi said that he had earlier expressed in 2018 that they opposition should come prepared. “Five years later, you are still not prepared,” he remarked.

He also took a jibe at LoP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury did not realise his time fruitfully. He asked the opposition benches why was Mr Chowdhury not allowed to open the debate. “Congress recurrently humilitates him (Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury). We express our deepest symathies with him,” he stated, further seeking if sidelining him was done following “a call from Kolkata?” (Referring to Mamata Banerjee)

Taking a jibe at the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminding of similar events in 2018, reiterated to the house that it was their floor test and not of the treasury. He elaborated that this was further reaffirmed by the country when they acquired more votes during elections and accorded the opposition instead a ‘no-confidence’. Mr Modi thus summarised that their no-confidence motions stand as “auspicious” for the entire National Democratic Alliance.

Referring to the latest series of bill passed in both the houses, he accused the opposition of being embroiled in their own politics instead. He argued that the bills concerned were important for their states and villages in India, backward classes and the technology-driven era, among other things. “The responsibility endowed upon them by the people of the country for which they have been sent, does not seem to be of any importance to them,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi said the opposition turned up for debate only when their “corrupt” alliance partner requested.

MP from Rajasthan (Rural) Ravyavardhan Singh Rathore launched a scathing attack on the opposition benches and the Congress-administered state government in Rajasthan. Recalling instances of crimes against Dalits and women, he charged the state government of not being able to ensure them justice and security.

Furthermore, MP from Durgh (Chattisgarh) Vijay Baghel raised similar concerns about the situation in Chattisgarh. He also accused the incumbent government of corruption in several schemes related to coal, sand, DMA funds and cement, among others.

Both Rajasthan and Chattisgarh are slated to head into polls later this year.

Separately, supporting the no-confidence motion, MP from Kottayam (Kerala) said, “More than the violence, the (Prime Minister’s) silence is shocking.” On behalf of his party, he sought that Mr Modi visit Manipur and announce a special package for ensuring peace, resignation of Chief Minister Biren Singh and constituting a joint parliamentary committee to visit and study the reasons behind the conflict.

In his address, the Union Civil Aviations Minister sought why the then-government of Prime Minister Narshima Rao was silent on the situation in 1993. Raising concerns over the opposition’s conduct, he reiterated that Home Minister Amit Shah had sought a discussion at any time the opposition wanted but the (opposition) did not move ahead.

Responding to the opposition benches threatening a walkout, he stated that it appeared the opposition was not confident about its own no-confidence motion.

Explaining his stance, Mr Scindia sought the events in Manipur are condemnable but also sought why the opposition in power then was silent during the 1984 Sikh riots, 1964 riots in Bengal, and events in Kashmir since 1990.

Speaking on the motion, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury remarked that the aftermath of the situation in Manipur made him realise that fugutive businessman Nirav Modi had not left India, instead he was coveting as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and keeping silent.

The remarks led to a furore in the house with members of the treasury questioning as to who sanctioned the loans to the fugitive businessman.

“Quit India must happen. But communalism should quit India. Polarisation must quit India. Saffronisation must quit India,” says the Congress MP.

The Chair mentions taking up the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023, but the House is in disorder. As members intensify sloganeering and gather in the well of the House, the Chair adjourns the Rajya Sabha to meet at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Friday, August 11).

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury speaks on the no-confidence motion. “We had to use the tool of no-confidence motion to get the PM speak on Manipur,” the Congress MP says.

The Prime Minister is in attendance. He is scheduled to reply to the debate at around 4 p.m.

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya moves that the Pharmacy Amendment Bill, 2023 be considered, amid intense protests.

An amendment by V Sivadasan is not moved. The discussion is taken up by the House. The Chair reads the names of those who have given their names for the discussion of the Bill, and then calls upon Dr. Mandaviya to reply to the discussion.

His reply is short and drowned out by protests. It is proposed that the Bill be referred to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha, it is negatived by voice vote.

The Bill is passed clause-by-clause and then is adopted in its entirety by voice vote. Opposition does not stop protesting throughout and gathers in the well of the House.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw moves for leave to introduce the Post Office Bill, 2023, to amend the law that consolidates matters related to post offices in the nation.

The motion is passed by voice vote despite intense Opposition sloganeering.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduces the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and terms of office) Bill, 2023.

MP Dr. John Brittas gives a notice opposing the Bill.

The Bill is introduced after a voice vote, despite loud Opposition protests and sloganeering.

Ms. Moitra says, “Change the administration in Manipur. Allow parties to work together to mediate a truce in Manipur… India has lost confidence in you. The spectacle of the Prime Minister of the greatest democracy bowing to religious seers of a majority in the chamber of a new Parliament fills us with shame. Police manhandling filing FIRs against champion wrestlers fills us with shame…”

The TMC MP had earlier in the day also slammed the Centre over its failure to act against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who has been accused of sexual harassment of women wrestlers. “When a BJP MP was accused of harassment and molestation by our champion wrestlers, we did not hear one word out of the women and child development minister and now she is talking about some flying kiss, where are your priorities, madam.”

Mr. Dhankhar reprimands the behaviour of MP Sushil Kumar Gupta, who walked into the House with a garland of tomatoes yesterday to protest rising prices of essential commodities.

On a light note, INC MP Pramod Tiwari says an inquiry should be instituted into how the MP managed to obtain so many tomatoes.

The House devolves into an exchange of couplets, ranging from “they changed their faces, but the mirror did not lie,” and “the dust was on the face, they kept wiping the mirror” to couplets about rising again despite adversity and communal harmony.

However, chaos returns to the House when an MP from Mizoram raises to protest against communities of Manipur being called “Myanmarese,” saying that they are all Indian.

TMC MP Derek O’Brien raises a point of order under rule 259, asking the Chair to help preserve order in the House. He alleges that the Government is responsible for the disorder.

Leader of the House Piyush Goyal refutes this, saying that Derek O’Brien and the “arrogant alliance” are responsible for the disorder in the House. He says that the Chair and deputy chair have done the utmost to maintain order.

“The PM hasn’t come to Parliament so far. He is still not here while the discussion on no-trust motion is underway. This is not just a no-confidence in government motion. This is a have confidence in INDIA motion,” says TMC MP Mahua Moitra as she backs the no-confidence motion of the Opposition.

“6,500 FIRs in three months, which state has seen this? 4,000 houses destroyed, 60,000 people displaced, which state has seen this?” says the TMC MP.

The Chair said that he had a wholesome discussion with the floor leaders about the notices pertaining to the Manipur issue. While there was a stalemate as far as notices under rule 267 and rule 176 were concerned, there may be some possibility to discuss under rule 167, Mr. Dhankhar said.

He said Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition should discuss further during the day today and find a mechanism to ensure that a discussion reach fructification.

The Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings at 2 p.m. Opposition members have gathered in the well of the House; the Chair, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, asks them to return to their seats.

On DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi’s remarks yesterday in the House that women were being “humiliated, stripped, paraded, violated and killed”, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recounted the 1989 incident when J. Jayalalithaa was reportedly heckled in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

“I agree that women suffering anywhere - Manipur, Delhi, Rajasthan … this should be taken seriously. No politics. But I want to remind this entire House of one incident which happened in 1989 in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Jayalalithaa’s saree was pulled in Tamil Nadu in the Assembly. She was the LoP then. The DMK members heckled and laughed at her… Has the DMK forgotten Jayalalithaa? You pulled her saree, you demeaned her. That day Jayalalithaa took an oath she would never come to the House unless she became the CM. Two years later, she returned as the CM of Tamil Nadu,” the FM said

Ms. Sitharaman, however, didn’t address the House on the recent incidents of violence against women in Manipur.

Speaking on the debate on the no-trust motion in the Lok Sabha, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at the Narendra Modi over several issues, including recent incidents of communal violence in the country.

“The budget for minority welfare has been reduced by 40%… The Home Minister yesterday said ‘Quit India’. Had he known that it was a Muslim who gave the slogan, he wouldn’t have used it. China needs to quit India. Gau rakshaks like Monu need to quit India,” says Mr. Owaisi in the Lok Sabha.

Ms. Sitharaman says, “Tomatoes are being procured from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and distributed through cooperative societies like NCCF, NAFED… Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan, this has already started from July 14 and will continue.”

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Members of the Opposition staged a walkout of the Lower House as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke about AIIMS Madurai during her speech on the no-confidence motion debate.

MPs from the Congress, DMK, TMC and Left parties accused the Finance Minister of misleading Parliament regarding AIIMS Madurai, and walked out of the House.

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(Credit:SansadTV)

“People moved no confidence against the UPA in 2014, 2019 and defeated them. The situation will be the same in 2024. The Home Minister said yesterday… what was the need to change the name of UPA?… Some of the opposition members don’t even know what INDIA stands for. It is difficult to understand whether the alliance partners are fighting amongst each other or fighting united,” says Ms. Sitharaman.

Reacting to parts of Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha speech being “expunged”, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary on Thursday said the latter did not use any unparliamentary word in the House.

”If a word is unparliamentary there is a provision to remove it. I don’t think so Rahul Gandhi has used any unparliamentary words... Rahul Gandhi said Bharat Mata is being humiliated... I have taken up this issue with the Lok Sabha Speaker, and he has assured me that he will look into it...,” Mr. Chowdhary said.

He added that it is the right of every citizen to say ‘Bharat Mata’. “Saying ‘Bharat Mata’ is the right of every citizen. But we need to see if he pronounced any unparliamentary word that is being taken off the record. Rahul Gandhi said that ‘Bharat Mata’ is being humiliated. He simply kept his viewpoints,” the Congress leader said.

- ANI

The government has listed a bill for introduction in the Rajya Sabha to regulate the appointment, conditions of service and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.

Though the contents of the Bill were not immediately available, the Supreme Court had in March delivered a landmark verdict aimed at insulating the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners from the Executive’s interference.

-PTI

Taking a dig at the Congress, the Finance Minsiter said, “ Aap janata ko sapne dikhate hain, hum janata ke sapne saakar karte hain. We believe in empowering all and appeasement of none.”

The Prime Minister will take part in the discussion on the motion of no-confidence at around 4 p.m. this, tweets PMO India.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has resumed the discusison on the no-confidence motion, focusing on the Indian economy. “Global economy grew just over 3 per cent in 2022 and the World Bank is now forecasting that it will decline to 2.1 per cent in 2023,” she adds.

“Our real GDP growth in 2022-23 stood at 7.2 per cent. It is projected to grow at 6.5 per cent in 2023-24. These projections are given by several global agencies, and our own RBI projection is also the same.”

“India is the fastest-growing economy. India is in a rare position of being optimistic and positive for its future growth,” the Minister says.

Members are currently laying papers on the table of the House. The Lok Sabha was earlier adjourned due to protests by the Opposition over the issue of Manipur.

Both sides clash on the rule under which discussion on the violence in Manipur is to be held. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge says that there should be a middle path, a discussion should be held under rule 167 and the Prime Minister should be present in the House.

As Treasury benches clamour, Mr. Kharge asks if the Prime Minister is “param atma”, if he is god, that he cannot come to the House. Chaos only increases following his statement and Mr. Dhankhar adjourns the House till 2 p.m.

Pointing out that the logjam in the House has persisted for 14-15 days, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said that opposition is submitting notices about Manipur under rule 267, while Treasury benches want a discussion under rule 176. Mr. Siva says that there should be a discussion in any case, having submitted a notice under rule 167- a different rule- for the consideration of the Chair.

Read more about the rule conflicts in the Rajya Sabha here: Opposition and govt. continue to battle over rules in Rajya Sabha

Leader of the House Piyush Goyal requested that four leaders meet for tea to discuss the issues raised under 167, but said that only one arrived, and said that we cannot meet in your chamber. Mr. Goyal said that he and the Parliamentary Affairs minister went to the chamber of the Leader of the Opposition.

The Chair announces that he has received 48 notices under rule 267, 45 are about Manipur violence, two are about the violence in Haryana and Manipur, and one is about the role of Governors.

19 notices are received. under rule 176- 18 express concern over communist agenda being pushed by a Chinese online news network, while one is about communal violence in Haryana. There are also three notices under rule 167/168- expressing concern over prevailing situation in Manipur.

Rejecting all notices related to the Manipur issue, the Chair notes that there was time alloted for this discussion on July 30, but the discussion failed to fructify. About the short duration discussion notices under rule 176, the Chair says that he will confer with the leaders of the political parties at 1 p.m. today.

Speaker Om Birla has adjourned the House till 12 noon due to repeated disruptions by the members of the Opposition who are demanding the PM to speak in Parliament on the Manipur issue.

The Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings at 11 am, with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar presiding. After expressing birthday greetings for MP Nabam Rebia, the House moves to laying of reports and papers on the table by members.

As the Lok Sabha proceeded with Question Hour, as per the list of business for the day, the Opposition demanded the Speaker to allow them to raise an issue. When the Speaker said he has taken note of the notice and continued with Question Hour, members of the Opposition resorted to sloagneering against the Centre.

Proceedings in the Lower House began on Thursday morning with obituary references.

Floor leaders of the INDIA-bloc parties also met at the chamber of Mallikarjun Kharge in the Parliament complex to chalk out their joint strategy.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and ministers Piyush Goyal and Arjun Ram Meghwal to discuss the government’s strategy in Parliament today.

The PM is scheduled to reply to the debate on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha.

The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) in Mizoram, a partner of the NDA, will back the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition against the BJP-led government at the Centre, Lok Sabha MP C Lalrosanga said on Thursday.

The MP said he will vote in favour of the no-confidence motion over the Manipur government and the Centre’s “failure to handle” the ethnic violence in the neighbouring state. The MNF is deeply hurt over the condition of the Zo ethnic people in strife-torn Manipur, he said.

- PTI

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Thursday gave a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the situation in Manipur.

”I hereby give notice under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) of my intention to move the following motion of suspension of business listed for today,” Raghav Chadha said in a letter. -ANI

Parliament Monsoon Session: PM Modi to reply to the no-confidence motion today in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirming the PM’s presence at the parliament said, “The PM will be present in the House on Thursday to reply to the no-confidence motion.”

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Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday gave an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss the border situation with China.

In his letter to the Secretary-General, Lok Sabha, Manish Tewari said, “I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance, namely: That this House do suspend Zero Hour and relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to have a discussion on the border situation with China.” -ANI

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on August 10 hit back at Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks targeting the opposition alliance, saying instead of making “wild allegations” against the INDIA bloc should not concentrate on governance in places such as Manipur and Haryana.

Mr. Sibal’s remarks came a day after Mr. Shah, intervening in the debate in Lok Sabha on the no-confidence motion, questioned the character of the opposition alliance, saying its true face was seen when it indulged in corruption to stay in power. -PTI

Congress leader Udit Raj on Wednesday said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s speech on the Manipur issue in Lok Sabha “was an attempt to confuse people”.While speaking to ANI, Udit Raj said,” There was nothing important in Amit Shah’s speech. It was an attempt to confuse people. PM did not speak a word on Manipur till that video went viral. -ANI

With just two sittings remaining in the monsoon session of Parliament, the debate on Manipur is unlikely to be held in the Rajya Sabha, with the two sides sticking to their respective positions. Both sides claim that they want the subject to be debated but have differed on the rule under which it can be taken up. The government, according to sources, will still try to push through a debate on Friday, the last day of the session.

Home Minister Amit Shah made an appeal to both the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur to shun violence and enter into a dialogue with each other and with the Union government, which he said had no intentions of effecting demographic changes in the State. He was speaking in the Lok Sabha, during the debate on the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against the Narendra Modi-led government.

1. Obituary references

2. Question Hour

3. Papers to be laid on the table

4. The Secretary-General is to report six messages from the Rajya Sabha regarding the Bills passed in the Upper House.

5. Reports on committees on the papers laid on the table.

6. Motion of no-confidence in the Council of Ministers.

7. The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023 to be taken up.