NEW DELHI: The government braces for a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on Friday - a first in the last 15 years. While the government has the numbers to sail through, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, when asked about the matter, said: "Who says we don't have the numbers". The no-confidence notice, moved by the Congress, Telugu Desam Party and Sharad Pawar's NCP, was attempted in the budget session also. But Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not allow it due to the constant disruption and the government was accused of dodging the issue. "We want to stop the lies of the opposition and set the record straight," Union minister Ananth Kumar said on Wednesday.
The no-trust motion does not endanger the BJP-led government. Along with allies, the BJP has 375 members in the 545-member house, way above the halfway mark of 273.
Regarding that, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anant Kumar said, "We are ready to answer and face all questions that are being asked". The opposition, he said, may have no confidence on PM Modi's government, "but I want to make it clear that the people of the country have full confidence".
Reaching out to the opposition minutes before the beginning of monsoon session of parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured if any party, any member wants to discuss an issue, "we are ready to discuss it".
More than 50 opposition lawmakers supported the notice for the No Confidence motion - an extension of Andhra Pradesh's demand for special status that would involve extensive financial benefits for the state. Earlier this year, party chief and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu quit the NDA following differences.
In 2003 Sonia Gandhi had moved a no-confidence motion against the Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government. Even then, the opposition did not have the numbers but wanted to send out a strong message.
According to political experts, the result of the no-trust vote could have its impact on the upcoming assembly elections in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Notably, in 2003, a motion was moved by the Congress ahead of elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi and it ( the Congress) suffered a rout. However, in the subsequent Lok Sabha elections in 2004, Congress reclaimed power at the Centre.
As expected, the Lok Sabha got off to a stormy start on Wednesday as opposition lawmakers staged a protest in the well of the house. In the presence of the Prime Minister, the members started shouting slogans of "We want justice" - a reference to the special status demanded by Andhra Pradesh.
Parliament's budget session was indeed the least productive budget session in 18 years.