The Lok Sabha would take up for discussion and vote on a no-confidence motion brought by TDP, and supported by other Opposition parties, against the Narendra Modi government on Friday — the first such test for the Centre in the last 15 years.
Both sides claimed they had the numbers and issued voting whips to their MPs, after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan admitted a notice from the estranged NDA ally.
However, the government is likely to clear the test easily. BJP alone has the support of 273 MPs. Forty-one MPs of other NDA constituents take the number to 314 — well above the current halfway mark of 268.
"More than 50 members are supporting the motion, so the leave is granted. This will be a full-day discussion, followed by voting on the motion. The House will have no other business (on Friday)," she said on the first day of Parliament's Monsoon Session on Wednesday.
A notice for a no-trust motion needs the support of at least 50 MPs. Congress and NCP, among other parties, had also moved similar notices.
But the one from TDP was admitted because it was the first to move the motion.
TDP quit the ruling NDA coalition in March, protesting against the government's move to not give a special package to Andhra Pradesh. The other issues this time include lynchings and atrocities against women and Dalits.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the government was prepared to face the motion. "The Opposition may have no confidence in PM Modi's government, but the people of the country has full confidence in him," he said.
Orissa's ruling party BJD has distanced itself from BJP. It is to be seen whether it will vote or abstain. Other fence-sitters are AIADMK and TRS.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said the Opposition had the numbers. The government has a clear majority, but the Opposition is hoping to make political gains by shifting attention also on slow job growth and deteriorating law and order, ahead of next year's general elections. It is a largely political exercise when parties are also bracing for state elections this year.
The "misrule" in Jammu and Kashmir, issues of farmers, unemployment and poor investments are some other issues.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale responded to Sonia's comment and said, "Such over confidence will serve no purpose. We will show clear majority on July 20. We will win comfortably and show our strength to the Opposition."
In 2003, Sonia was Leader of the Opposition when she had moved a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government. The motion was defeated easily. Sonia had then criticised AB Vajpayee's government for reinstating George Fernandes after his exit from the Cabinet over a defence scandal. Even then, the Opposition did not have the numbers but wanted to make a political point.
Mahajan had not accepted notices for a similar motion during a washed-out Budget Session (January 29 to April 6), saying the House was not in order.
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