The survival of the Congress-led UPA Government hinges on the fate of the no confidence notices, moved by 13 MPs from Andhra Pradesh protesting against the bifurcation of the state, in mustering the support of the required number of members for getting it admitted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Apart from six Congress members from Seemandhra region, four TDP members and three belonging to YSRCP, have issued notices of no confidence against the central government. However the no confidence notice, to get admitted in the House for a discussion, requires the support of a minimum of 54 members.
Speaker Meira Kumar on Tuesday informed the House amidst uproarious scenes that she had received the no-confidence notices, but could not take them up in view of the pandemonium that prevailed with members of various political parties chanting slogans in support of their respective demands. The Congress and TDP members from Seemandhra protested against bifurcation of the state. The TDP members even held placards with “Save AP” slogan.
As the ruckus continued unabatedly despite repeated appeals, the Speaker announced that she was unable to take up the no-confidence motion because of the disturbance, and adjourned the House for the day to meet again on Wednesday.
Meanwhile the BJP members have also issued a no confidence motion against the Speaker herself, in connection with the JPC report on the 2G scam. As a matter of fact, the BJP had made it clear that except on the Telangana issue, the party would extend support to a no confidence motion on other issues.
Speculations began to make rounds whether the no confidence against the central government or against the Speaker would be taken up first when the Lok Sabha meets at 11 am on Wednesday. It is argued in some quarters that since the no confidence moved by the 13 MPs from AP against the UPA Government was issued first, it would be taken up first. However, it was also argued that since a no trust notice was moved against the Speaker herself, she cannot preside over the House proceedings and hence it would be taken up first.
However whichever no confidence motion comes for admittance, the UPA Government is definitely pushed to a corner and its survival is hanging fire. If by any chance the no confidence of the 13 AP MPs is taken up in the beginning, then it would require the support of a minimum of 54 members. Will the Seemandhra MPs manage to muster the required number is the big question. However, these MPs are confident that the required support would be received when the notice would be taken up for admittance.
Earlier in the day, both the Houses of parliament witnessed uproarious scenes and the regular business could not be transacted. With pandemonium prevailing, both the Houses were adjourned till noon. When the Lok Sabha resumed its sitting, there was no let up in the high voltage drama. Even the Speaker expressed her exasperation for not being allowed to take up the no-confidence notices and adjourned the House for the day. The Rajya Sabha which resumed its sitting at 2 p.m was forced to be adjourned amidst uproarious scenes. (NSS)