BJP led NDA Government wins No Confidence motion in Lok Sabha

Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government has won No Confidence motion moved in Lok Sabha. This was first no-trust motion against Narendra Modi government after it came to power in May 2014 and less than year before the next general elections.

Key Facts

The no-confidence motion against the government was moved by a former NDA ally Telugu Desham Party (TDP). In this trust vote, NDA bagged 325 votes against motion, while 126 members voted in favour. Total of 451 out of 534 MPs were present and voted in the house bringing down majority mark required to 226.

No-Confidence Motion

In a parliamentary democracy, government can be in power only if it commands majority in directly elected House. Article 75(3) of our Constitution of India embodies this rule by specifying that Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha. But there is no mention of a no-confidence motion in the constitution. The Rule 198 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha provides mechanism for testing this collective responsibility.  Rajya Sabha does not have procedure for moving of no-confidence motion against Government and also adjournment motion, censure motion.
The rule allows any Lok Sabha MP who can garner support of 50 colleagues, to introduce motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers. Motion of No-confidence need not set out any grounds on which it is based. If there are 50 MPs in favour, the motion is admitted and speaker allots date for discussion on the motion. Thereafter, discussion on motion takes place. MPs who support motion highlight government’s shortcomings. Then Prime Minister or ministers reply to the charges made. If the government loses trust vote, it is expected to resign.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2018