No-confidence Motion
No-confidence Motion or Motion of No-confidence is one of different types of motions in Indian Parliament. The constitutional provision behind this motion is Article 75, which says that “Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha” Thus, a council of ministers stays in office as long as it enjoys the confidence of majority of the members of Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha can remove the ministry from office by passing motion of no-confidence by simple majority.
Process of Non-confidence Motion in Lok Sabha
Process of no-confidence motion is mentioned under Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and conduct of Lok Sabha. Motion of No-confidence can be moved only in Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha does not have power to entertain such motion since it decides the fate of a popularly elected government. Such a motion can be moved by any member of the house. The member moving such motion is generally a member of opposition. The motion need support of at least 50 members to be admitted. Once admitted, it has to be passed within 10 days in the house. The motion has to be passed by simple majority. If passed, the Union Council of Ministers has to resign and government at centre falls. There is no impact on health of the government if such motion is not passed.
No-confidence motion
- No-confidence motion can be moved only in Lok Sabha {or state assembly as the case may be}. It is not allowed in Rajya Sabha {or state legislative council}
- It is moved against the entire Council of Ministers and not individual ministers or private members.
- It needs support of at least 50 members when introduced in Lok Sabha.
Difference between Motion of Confidence and Motion of No-confidence
Both motion of confidence and no-confidence are treated separately by Rules of Procedure and conduct of Lok Sabha. The confidence motion under Rule 184 is a one line motion which says “that this house expressed its confidence in Council of Ministers“. This motion is moved by Prime Minister on direction of the President and sets Council of Ministers in office. No-confidence motion is anti-thesis to confidence motion.
Difference between Motion of No-Confidence and Censure Motion
A censure literally means expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism. It can be a stern rebuke by a legislature, generally opposition against the policies of Government or an individual minister. However, it can also be passed to criticize, condemn some act. A censure motion can be moved in Lok Sabha or in a state assembly.
Comparison of No-confidence motion and Censure Motion
- Both censure motion and No-confidence motion can be moved in Lok Sabha or Lower house in states.
- While Censure motion can be moved against individual ministers or members, No-confidence motion is moved against the entire council of ministers.
- There is no impact on government when censure motion is passed, the council of ministers need to resign and government collapses when No-confidence motion is passed.
Important Facts about Motion of No-confidence
The first No-confidence motion was moved in 1963 against Jawaharlal Nehru government. Other prime ministers to face motion of no-confidence include Indira Gandhi, Morar Ji Desai, Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The first government to be brought down by a no-confidence motion was of Morar Ji Desai.
In July 2018, a motion of no-confidence has been granted leave against Narendra Modi led NDA government. This is first such motion in last 15 years. Manmohan Singh government never faced a no-confidence motion during its office years.
