Even as the Andhra MPs move no-confidence motions, the Speaker is not introducing it in Lok Sabha on the ground that the house is not in order so as to ascertain that at least 10 percent of MPs are in support of the motion to be introduced in the house. But, the political picture is clear. The government is hiding behind technicalities to avoid no-confidence motion to come before the Parliament.
The strange behaviour of TRS and ADMK members however genuine the issues they raise is further giving an impression that the BJP is indulging in backdoor tactics to ensure that house will never be in order.
It is clear that the no-confidence motion enjoys much more than 10 percent support in parliament as TDP, YCP, Congress and its allies of UPA, Left, MIM, TMC etc. have declared support to the no-confidence motion. The head count is therefore a mere formality and technicality.
BJP can avoid Parliament. But, it cannot avoid the nation’s scrutiny. The no-confidence in parliament has already given Andhra Pradesh concerns national attention
The Narendra Modi led NDA has clear majority in parliament and there is no need to fear of no-confidence motion. Yet, the government is running away. This sets in a very bad and undemocratic precedent. Imagine if a government that lost majority avoids no-confidence motion on the same ground that the house is not in order. It is the responsibility of the ruling party and the government to ensure smooth functioning of the house. This is precisely the reason, why the house and the Speaker are given unassailable powers in regard to maintaining order in the house and ensure the proceedings of the house. The supreme court itself held that the Speaker and the house can even take extreme action including the expulsion of the members to ensure order in the house ( Raja Ram pal vs. Speaker of Loksabha, 2007 ). Still, the NDA wants to avoid no-confidence debate. The BJP knows fully well that the issue of special status is emotive and the people of Andhra Pradesh are not ready to buy any explanation of BJP in this regard. The combined attack from TDP and YSR Congress would seriously undermine the BJP. Secondly, the no-confidence will provide an opportunity as per Parliamentary procedures to raise any matter. Thus, many other emotive issues like Cauvery, reservations, Lingayat separate religious identity etc., would figure in Parliamentary debate thus further embarrassing the government.
The opposition camp is more united than ever before while the NDA camp is facing fissures. Not just the TDP smaller players like Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, Shetkari Sanghatana have either left the NDA are grudging against BJP. The Shiv Sena is unrelenting. The Akalis are uncomfortable. The Lok Janshakti party of Ram Vilas Paswan is unhappy. Thus, with the allies sulking, rivals energetic, the BJP does not wish to face Parliament.
Narendra Modi led NDA has clear majority in parliament and there is no need to fear of no-confidence motion. Yet, the government is running away. This sets in a very bad and undemocratic precedent
The TDP and the YSR Congress have also done grave injustice to state by moving the no-confidence motion at this stage of sessions rather than the first day when Parliament reassembled in March. If no-confidence motion is given before the budget is approved, the NDA government would have been in a difficult position. The Parliamentary approval for budget is Constitutional imperative. The Parliament cannot be adjourned. Thus, the government would have been in a rather compelling situation to accept the no-confidence challenge.
Well, the BJP could avoid Parliament. But, it cannot avoid the nation’s scrutiny. The no-confidence in parliament has already given Andhra Pradesh concerns national attention.
(Prof.K. Nageshwar is India’s noted political analyst. He is a former member of the Telangana Legislative Council and professor in the Department of Communication & Journalism, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India)
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