Monsoon Session Begins on Stormy Note: Lok Sabha Accepts No-Confidence Motion Moved Against Govt; Ananth Kumar Says Ready For it

As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the Question Hour, members from Opposition parties, including the Congress wanted to raise various issues, creating a din.

New Delhi, July 18: The Lok Sabha proceedings began on a stormy note on the first day of the Monsoon Session on Wednesday, with Speaker Sumitra Mahajan admitting the no-confidence motion moved against the government by opposition parties including the Congress and TDP.

Mahajan said she had received notices from at least six MPs seeking no trust vote against the Narendra Modi government and was duty-bound to put it to the consideration of the House.

She said Kesineni Srinavas of the Telugu Desam Party was the first to give his no-confidence notice and asked members if it can be moved. She asked Srinavas to introduce the motion which was supported by over 50 members, including from the Congress and other opposition MPs.

After she counted the supporters of the motion, Mahajan said the notice has been accepted. She said she has still 10 days to notify the day and time when it would be discussed and put to vote.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the government was ready to face the no trust motion and asked Mahajan that it may be tabled.

“Everything will be clear after the discussion. I want to make it clear in the House that the people of the country have full confidence on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.”

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asked the Speaker why the other members who had submitted their notices were not allowed to read them.

She said rules allowed her to table the notice that was submitted first. She said she read out the names of these members.

These include Kharge, K.C. Venugopal (Congress), Tariq Anwar (Nationalist Congress Party), N.K. Premachandran (Revolutionary Socialist Party) and Thota Narsimham (TDP).

As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the Question Hour, members from Opposition parties, including the Congress wanted to raise various issues, creating a din.

An assertive Mahajan told members that issues can be discussed after the Question Hour. “I won’t allow…,” she said even as many members continued to raise slogans.

Members from the TDP, a former ally of the ruling NDA government, trooped into the Well with placards and shouted slogans. The members were heard saying, “we want justice” as they demanded special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Some members from the SP were also in the Well as they sought to raise various issues but could not be heard in the din.

Standing at their places, many Congress members were also trying to raise certain issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted members before the proceedings began in the Lower House.

Clad in a white kurta and pyjama, Modi took a round of the front rows of ruling and Opposition benches. He greeted members with folded hands and was also seen exchanging a few words with Samajwadi Party patriach Mulayam Singh Yadav. Some members clapped when the prime minister walked into the House.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, among others, were present.

Before the Question Hour commenced, four new members took oath and Mahajan read out obituaries of three former members.

Ahead of the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, PM Modi on Wednesday urged all the political parties for their cooperation to ensure smooth functioning of the House. He added that the Centre is ready for discussion on issues that will be raised by the parries in the Parliament.

“I hope the Monsoon Session is a productive one and the time is properly utilised to discuss important matters. May the productivity of the forthcoming session and the rich levels of debate also become a source of inspiration for the various state assemblies. Any member, any party can raise any issue, we are all ready for proper discussions,” Prime Minister Modi told media here.

He also urged all political parties to set an example for the state assemblies by utilising the time effectively in the monsoon session.

“Many matters of national importance are before us. We hope for good suggestions and discussions from all experienced members. I appeal to all political parties that they use their time in the Parliament effectively,” the Prime Minister said.

He also said during the monsoon season this year, many areas of the country have received surplus rainfall while some parts are yet to get proper rain. Such issues will also be discussed in Parliament.

The monsoon session, which concludes on August 10, will have 18 sittings amid much-expected drama in both the houses – Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

Government has listed a substantive legislative business for the session. This includes 48 items including 46 Bills and two financial matters. On priority, are The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill or the anti-instant triple talaq bill and The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, that gives Constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes.