No-Trust Debate Begins With BJD Walkout, Shiv Sena Stays Away | Read

The numbers in parliament dropped rapidly as the no-confidence motion started this morning, bringing the government's goal of getting two-third votes within striking distance. Naveen Patnaik's BJD walked out, and in a last-minute twist, ally Shiv Sena stayed away. Uddhav Thackeray's decision is seen as an embarrassment for the BJP, which claimed the Sena will back the government after Amit Shah's call to him. Parties backing the no-trust motion say the debate and not the voting is key, as it would give them a chance to make their case against the government from a most-watched platform. For the BJP, it is seen as launch pad for 2019 general elections campaign.