Telugu Desam Party moves a no-confidence motion against NDA

On Thursday, March 15, 2018, YV Subba Reddy of Yuvajana Shramika Rythu of (YSR) Congress Party, submitted a letter seeking to move a motion on ‘No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General.
The submission of the no-confidence letter was an aftermath of the Narendra Modi government’s denial to grant of special status category to Andhra Pradesh. Since the beginning of their tenure, this is the first no-confidence motion moved against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Soon after that, Chandrababu Naidu, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo, made an announcement in support for the motion.

It is believed that Jagan Mohan Reddy, the head of YSR Congress Party, have written letters to other party chiefs and appealed for support for the motion. He is expecting the gain alliances of parties like Congress, Trinamool Congress, the Left, NCP, and Samajwadi Party.

Besides, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is also prepared to initiate a no-confidence motion against the Centre and is gathering support from opposition parties.

The motion or vote of no-confidence is a declaration or vote which states that a person or a party in position of a responsibility (preferably government or managerial) is no longer considered fit for that position. Almost certainly, this is due to their failure in fulfilling their responsibilities or taking decisions that other person or party feels are unfavourable to the governance.

Motion of no-confidence in India, can be introduced only in the lower house of the Parliament of India, Lok Sabha. If minimum of 50 members of the house support the motion, the Speaker sets up a date for discussion of the motion. Then the house debates and votes on the motion, if it is supported or carried forward.

In case the vote is won by the majority in favour of moving the no-confidence motion, the incumbent government has to leave the office. It will no longer hold the administration of the country and the ruling party will fall. Therefore, the motion of no-confidence is passed to remove the council of ministers and cast out the ruling government from administrative offices.

Dushyant Dave, Supreme Court lawyer and constitutional expert said, “The move by the TDP and YSRCP to move a no-confidence motion against the government will come as a huge embarrassment for the BJP, though the stand of these parties is not principled.”

“The way the situation is unfolding, it will definitely be an embarrassment for the BJP. The parties have the numbers to move a no-confidence motion. As per procedure, a no-confidence motion can be moved if, it has the support of 50 members of the House. An application is then moved to the Lok Sabha Speaker. It is up to the Speaker to accept it or stall it, which the Speaker may choose to do in the current case,” he added.

“TDP’s stand is not principled. Chandrababu Naidu is asking for a lot of money that Andhra Pradesh probably does not deserve. BJP may be able to persuade these parties tomorrow. But yes, it will be an embarrassment for the BJP.”
When asked whether the no-confidence motion will stand or not, Dave replied, “Not likely”.