The opposition parties stacked up against the Narendra Modi government during the failed no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on Friday. Here are all the highlights from the day’s proceedings.
NEW DELHI : The first no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in Lok Sabha began at 11 am today in which the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won with a thumping majority. While 325 MPs voted no, only 126 were in favour of the no-confidence motion. Although there was little doubt in anybody’s mind over the outcome of the no-trust vote on the floor of the Lower Housebecause of the sheer number of MPs in the NDA’s kitty, the debate gave an opportunity for the opposition to attack the government on a range of issues including farm distress, slow economic growth and rising incidents of mob lynching. The 535-member Lok Sabha has 313 MPs belonging to the NDA while 222 belong to the opposition parties. Here are the highlights of the day’s proceedings from the Lok Sabha:
The opposition’s no-confidence motion has been rejected. While 325 MPs voted no, only 126 were in favour of the motion. The House has been adjourned till Monday.
Tearing into Rahul Gandhi’s comments that he was a ‘bhagidar’ (collaborator) and not a ‘chowkidar’ (watchman), Modi said he was in fact a partner in the aspirations of the people. He said he was neither a ‘saudagar’ (trader), nor a ‘thekedar’ (contractor) like the Congress. The Prime Minister said the Congress party had misused no-confidence motion to spread instability in the country to ensure that the Gandhi family remains in power.
Dubbing the no-trust vote against his government a result of the opposition’s “arrogance”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all parties to dismiss the move and accused the Congress of working with the mindset of ‘Modi hatao’ (remove Modi). Responding to a day-long debate on the no-confidence motion, he said some people are indulging in “negative politics.” He also took a dig at Rahul Gandhi for asking him to stand up for a hug after walking across to his chair in the Lok Sabha, saying the Congress President appeared to be in a hurry to occupy his seat. Only the electorate of the country can decide his fate and make him sit on his chair, Modi said, asking “what is the hurry”.
Congress has no confidence in itself; It also does not trust any of the country’s institutions like RBI and Election Commission: PM Modi
“This is not a floor test of the government, this is a forced test of Congress’s so called allies”, PM Modi says. He further added: “I appeal to all members of Lok Sabha to dismiss no-confidence motion.”
PM Modi has started his speech in Lok Sabha
#PM Narendra Modi speaks in Lok Sabha on #NoConfidenceMotion https://t.co/uTCpXaa5uW
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
He says: “For me MP is priority, seen a number of No confidence motions in last 38 years.”
#WATCH Bhopal: 9 time Lok Sabha Congress MP Kamal Nath skips #NoConfidenceMotion proceedings, says, “For me MP is priority, seen a number of No confidence motions in last 38 years.' pic.twitter.com/YvLZ0QaAPa
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has extended the discussion by another hour. It was initially extended till 8pm but will now continue till 9pm, barring further extensions.
The BJP today termed Rahul Gandhi’s hug to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an “immature” act and said his speech during the no-confidence motion was “low on substance” and “high on entertainment”.
Reacting to French government’s statement, Rahul Gandhi said during his meeting with the French President, Anand Sharma and Dr Manmohan Singh were also there.
Let them deny it if they want. He(French President) said that before me.I was there, Anand Sharma and Dr.Manmohan Singh were also there: Rahul Gandhi on France statement on Rafale deal #NoConfidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/c3FKz40lnj
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
The French government has contradicted Rahul Gandhi who said there was no secrecy pact with France that stopped the government from coming clean on Rafale jet deal. “These provisions naturally apply to the IGA concluded on 23 September 2016 on the acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft and their weapons,” France said in a statement.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today reprimanded Congress president Rahul Gandhi for giving a hug to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “drama” and said everyone must maintain decorum in Parliament. Mahajan said she was not opposed to Rahul hugging any individual but everyone has to maintain decorum in Parliament. “We have to maintain decorum as an MP. Outsiders cannot maintain decorum. I want that everyone should live in harmony. No one is my enemy, Rahul is like my son,” she said.
Hours after Congress president hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said that Rahul showed to the world how a “Jadu ki Jhappi can stop the winds of hatred”.
Hours after Congress president hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said that Rahul showed to the world how a "Jadu ki Jhappi can stop the winds of hatred"
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) July 20, 2018
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/ivZvERQdTW pic.twitter.com/18dPlTxsWu
The no-confidence motion moved against the Narendra Modi-led government, taken up in the Lok Sabha today, is the 27th in the history of the House and the first in 15 years. Of the 27, 15 were against Indira Gandhi during her various tenures as prime minister, reveals data from the Lok Sabha secretariat. There were three motions against Lal Bahadur Shastri, three against P V Narasimha Rao, two against Morarji Desai and one each against Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Behari Vajpayee. The first no-confidence motion was moved against Jawaharlal Nehru in August 1963 by J B Kripalani. The last no-confidence was moved in 2003 by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi against the Vajpayee-led NDA government. Only once in the history of the lower house has the prime minister resigned after a no-confidence motion. In 1979, Morarji Desai resigned as the discussion on the motion was inconclusive. According to details available with Lok Sabha secretariat, six no-confidence motions were moved in the third and the fourth Lok Sabha, the maximum. The third Lok Sabha, from 1962 to 1967 saw three prime ministers -- Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi. The fourth Lok Sabha was from 1967 to 1970 with Indira Gandhi as prime minister. Four of the 15 no-confidence motions against Indira Gandhi were moved by CPI(M) leader Jyotirmnoy Basu. PTI
Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s hug to PM Modi, Rajnath Singh said Rahul Gandhi started a ‘chipko andolan’ in Lok Sabha.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, home minister Rajnath Singh hit back at the opposition parties saying that after 15 years, a no-confidence motion has been moved against a government. “We never moved a no-confidence motion in ten years when UPA was in power because we understood that the Congress had people’s mandate,” Rajnath Singh said.
Actress-turned-BJP MP Kirron Kher took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi over his hug act saying, he should now join Bollywood.
Rahul Gandhi should be ashamed, he can't target our ministers without any proof. He was doing drama in the house and hugging Modi ji. I think his next step will be Bollywood. We will have to send him there: Kirron Kher, BJP MP#NoCofidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/nKN1ghaB0m
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
BJP will move privilege motion against Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha over his “false allegations” during his speech today.
A wink by Rahul Gandhi after hugging PM Modi is now taking the Twitter by storm with users coming with memes.
After Rahul Gandhi’s aggressive speech which had its own dramatic moments, all eyes are now on PM Modi’s retort. He is expected to speak at the end of the debate.
After finishing his speech, Rahul Gandhi went to PM Modi and gave him a hug. They also shaked hands.
Aap logon ke andar mere liye nafrat hai, aap mujhe Pappu aur bohot gaaliyan dekar bula sakte hain, lekin mere andar aapke liye nafrat nahi hai: Rahul Gandhi. He then walks up to PM Modi and gives him a hug #NoConfidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/w5DqyR7mVu
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
Indian benchmark indices BSE Sensex and NSE’s Nifty 50 traded higher as the Parliament debates the no-confidence motion brought by opposition parties against the Narendra Modi-led government. At2pm, BSE Sensex traded higher by 105.64 points, or 0.29%, to 36,456.87, while the Nifty 50 rose 38.80 points, or 0.35%, to 10,995.90. Infosys, Reliance, L&T and ICICI Bank were among the major gainers, whereas Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, ONGC and IOC were among the top losers. Click here for live market updates
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned House till 1.45 pm after uproar during Rahul Gandhi’s speech.
During the debate, Rahul Gandhi said he can see a touch of nervousness in PM Modi, who was also in the House during the debate. “He is looking away from me. I can understand that. He cannot look into my eyes, I can see that because the Prime Minister has not been truthful,” Rahul Gandhi said. Hearing this, PM Modi started laughing.
PM Narendra Modi laughs after Rahul Gandhi says 'Pradhanmantri apni aankh meri aankh mein nahi daal sakte' #NoConfidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/qwXNt6PphM
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
Rahul Gandhi sought PM Modi’s statement on Rafale deal in the parliament. He alleged that defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has spoken “untruth” on the issue.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi started his speech by saying that TDP is not the only one who are victims of a 21st century political weapon called ‘jumla strike’. He said PM Modi works only for a handful of industrialists.
Congress says the UPA brought the number of poor people down to 26.93 crore, which was 21.9% of the population in 2012, from 40.71 crore in 2004.
UPA brought the number of poor people down to 26.93 Cr, which was 21.9% of the population in 2012, from 40.71 Cr in 2004 - One of the greatest achievements of the UPA & we are proud of it @MPRakeshSingh https://t.co/DDWaKArsfP
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 20, 2018
RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav says no-confidence motion is not always to take down the government. “Sometimes it is for making government provide answers to the public. If not in this session, we will try to bring it in the next session (of Bihar assembly),” Yadav said.
BJP MP Rakesh Singh said frustration and desperation are the main reasons behind this no-confidence motion.
Union minister Ananth Kumar has exuded confidence that the NDA would prove its majority in the Parliament and said the opposition would see the strength of “NDA plus” during the no-trust motion.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said TDP used objectionable comment against PM Modi after which Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she will expunge any such objectionable words against the PM from Lok Sabha records. She also asked all MPs to not use such words.
TDP MP Jaydev Galla, who was the first speaker in the no trust vote debate, ended his speech after an hour. After which BJP MP Rakesh Singh started speaking against the no confidence motion. He said in his speech, the TDP MP had no substantial reason to move the motion. He also added that the issues happened when Congress government was in power.
Outside the Parliament, Congress has released a video on Twitter poking fun at the promises made by PM Narendra Modi.
In fact BJP under PM Modi created a new alphabet of corruption. #KyaHuaTeraVaada 2/3 pic.twitter.com/SekwrrUbEW
— Congress (@INCIndia) July 20, 2018
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has made it clear that his party Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) will continue to support NDA in the Parliament.
Hum log sarkar ke saath hain: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on being asked JDU's stand on #NoConfidenceMotion in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/bOureLgzCL
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
TDP MP Jaydev Galla hit out at both the Congress and BJP over issues related to Andhra Pradesh. Demanding that AP must be given special category status as promised, TDP blamed Congress for “mindless bifurcation” of the state.
Shiv Sena MPs will not attend Lok Sabha today, reports ANI
TDP MP Jaydev Galla initiates discussions on no-confidence motion saying it is a war between Modi regime and Andhra Pradesh. He said the Modi government has not fulfilled promises.
BJD walks out of no-confidence motion proceedings in Lok Sabha. 20 BJD MPs will abstain from voting. In the meantime, opposition parties demand more time for discussion.
Lok Sabha proceedings begin with Speaker Sumitra Mahajan saying that voting for the no-confidence motion will begin at 6pm today
Ahead of the trust vote, PM Narendra Modi is meeting senior BJP leaders including Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh in Parliament to discuss strategy of cornering the Opposition parties.
For the BJP, the no-confidence motion is a test of loyalty towards the NDA ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The AIADMK, for example, has hinted that it might not back the motion. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said the motion was moved by the TDP over an issue concerning Andhra Pradesh.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge questioned how can they highlight issues of 130 crore Indians and faults of the Narendra Modi government in just 30 minutes.
BJP President Amit Shah arrives in Parliament ahead of #NoConfidenceMotion in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/GjUrqmDJhE
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
Time allotted to various political parties for Lok Sabha debate on no-confidence motion: BJP 3 hours 33 minutes, Congress 38 minutes, AIADMK 29 minutes,TMC 27 minutes, BJD 15, Shiv Sena 14,TDP 13, TRS 9 CPIM 7, SP 6,NCP 6, LJSP 5.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has asked his party MPs to remain in Delhi but the final decision as to whether the party will support the Modi government against the Opposition’s no-confidence motion is yet to be announced.
Discussions will start at 11 am today. Nation is concerned about the stand of Shiv Sena. Our party will make the right decision. Between 10:30 -11:00 am, party chief will himself tell the party about his decision: Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena. #NoConfidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/ykh4D2PN19
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2018
Stating that it is an important day in our Parliamentary democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a disruption-free and constructive debate in the Lok Sabha today. “I am sure my fellow MP colleagues will rise to the occasion and ensure a constructive, comprehensive & disruption free debate,” he tweeted. He said lawmakers owe this to the people and the makers of the Constitution. “India will be watching us closely,” he said.
