The debate on the no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government brought by opposition alliance INDIA started amid loud sloganeering. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi opened the debate, with heated exchanges between the opposition and treasury benches.
Mr Gogoi said the opposition bloc INDIA was forced to bring the no-confidence motion against the government to break Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "vow of silence" on Manipur.
The numbers are comfortably stacked in favour of the government and the Opposition is expected to utilise the opportunity to demonstrate its newly firmed up unity to take on the Modi-led BJP in the Lok Sabha elections next year.
Here are the HIGHLIGHTS updates on the No-Trust Vote debate:
The Day 1 of the debate on the No-Confidence Motion against the Narendra Modi government saw the Congress arguing against "precedent" in Manipur and accusing the government of creating a great divide in the state. Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the Opposition will regret bringing the No-Confidence Motion because it comes at the "wrong time and the wrong manner", given India's current stature in the world.
Opposition MPs on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh over the violence in the state as Lok Sabha took up a discussion on the no-confidence motion against the government. The Opposition MPs claimed that the government has failed on several other issues too like inflation, maintaining communal harmony and safeguarding the independence of institutions.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Tuesday slammed the opposition parties for bringing a no-confidence motion against the government, saying this is a no-trust vote against a "poor man's son" who worked for the welfare of the people. Starting the debate from the government's side, Dubey said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that this is not a no-confidence motion against the government but it has been brought by the opposition to test the confidence of its own alliance members in each other.
"What happened in Manipur was state-sponsored ethnic violence? Indian Army is deployed there, BSF is there, Assam Rifles is there. If the government wanted, they could have brought the situation under control in two days. This is politics of hate. Internal security is at risk not only in Manipur, but also Mizoram, Tripura, southern Assam and even Haryana," said Samajwadi Party's Dimple Yadav.
"They talk of Vande Bharat, but it is not for the poor. There is inflation, unemployment, malnourishment. How can we support this government?": NCP's Supriya Sule.
"I am not taking away from the intentions of this government, but questioning the results. The attitude of this government is hubris. We are public servants, not officers, then why this attitude?"
"Where is PM Modi now? The public has elected him to come to Parliament, what's holding him back? Minorities of Manipur have been killed ruthlessly. 143 people have been killed, 65,000 people have fled the state. Two women were stripped, gang-raped and paraded naked on the streets of Manipur. The PM is not coming to the Parliament and he has not gone to the state whereas INDIA MPs went there and understood what has happened": DMK's Thalikkottai R Baalu
The contents of the narrow ticker running during live telecast of Lok Sabha proceedings today sparked a huge row during the debate on the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government.
#WATCH | BJP MP Nishikant Dubey raises the issue of the Supreme Court staying Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the 'Modi' surname remark case following which his membership was restored.
- ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2023
He says, "The Supreme Court has not given a judgement. It has given a stay order...He is saying... pic.twitter.com/7Q6UZ5Fxd9
Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi asked why the Congress leader did not open the debate on the no-confidence motion against the government and said the treasury benches were "very enthusiastically" waiting for his speech.
Ruckus in Lok Sabha after Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's speech. Opposition objects to ticker on 'Sansad TV' saying that it is not reflecting no-confidence motion.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm.
"Three reasons why PM Modi is silent- Failure of the state government; failure of the home department and national security arrangement; he does not want to accept that he made a mistake": Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi
"Why didn't PM change chief minister of Manipur when chief ministers of Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Tripura were changed": Congress' Gaurav Gogoi.
"Never seen divisions between two communities as in Manipur, your politics has created two states. That is why 150 people died in Manipur, around 5000 houses were torched, around 60,000 people are in relief camps and around 6500 FIRs have been registered. The chief minister of the state, who should have created an atmosphere of talks, of peace and harmony, has taken instigating steps in the past 2-3 days that have created tension in society": Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi to government in Lok Sabha.
"Opposition alliance was clear, it wanted PM Modi to make a statement on Manipur in House but he chose to be silent": Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.
"This no-confidence motion is our compulsion, this was never about numbers but about seeking justice for Manipur": Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.
Debate on opposition's no-confidence motion begins in Lok Sabha, first speaker is Congress' Gaurav Gogoi.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi To Initiate No-Confidence Motion Debate
🔴Watch LIVE | No-Confidence Debate In Lok Sabha https://t.co/kQ6JfMXHDt
- NDTV (@ndtv) August 8, 2023
Rajya Sabha Chairman directs Trinamool Congress' Derek O'Brien to leave the House.
Lok sabha adjourned till 12 noon.
The Lok Sabha will witness a fierce debate today as the Opposition brings a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government. The Congress party, backed by other members of the INDIA alliance, has called for a no-trust vote against the government. Read more.
According to news agency ANI, meeting of the leaders of I.N.D.I.A. parties begins at the Rajya Sabha LoP's office in Parliament.
#WATCH | Delhi: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi says, "We look forward to what Rahul Gandhi has to say. He has visited Manipur and in the meantime, he has met with the cross sections of Indian society. He knows the state of the economy and the ground situation in Manipur. So, he has a... https://t.co/Uyd0yNOezV pic.twitter.com/Fo8ZPnyhTS
- ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2023
The Opposition's No-Confidence Motion against the Narendra Modi government will come up in parliament today - in absence of the Prime Minister. Congress's Rahul Gandhi, freshly reinstated in parliament, will open the debate, sources have said.
#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the Parliamentary Party Meeting. pic.twitter.com/Lity63F5qU
- ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2023