How does a no-confidence motion work in Indian Parliament?

After the Opposition coalition had announced its intention to table a no-confidence motion, the Congress and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) on Wednesday (July 26) submitted notices in the Lok Sabha seeking no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government

The Opposition alliance demands that PM Modi personally addresses the Lok Sabha to shed light on the situation in Manipur.

Congress's deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, submitted a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary General's office.

As per reports by India Today, the proposal for the no-confidence motion was deliberated upon during a meeting of parties belonging to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

Can the motion succeed?

Although the Opposition parties acknowledge that the motion is unlikely to succeed in terms of securing the necessary numbers, they say that their aim is to gain a perceptual advantage by putting the government on the defensive regarding the Manipur issue during the ensuing debate, as reported by PTI.

Given the prevailing parliamentary arithmetic, the outcome of the no-confidence motion seems predetermined, with the BJP enjoying a clear numerical advantage in the Lower House, and the opposition grouping falling short of 150 members.

How does a no-confidence motion work?

In India, a no-confidence motion (also known as a motion of no-confidence or motion of non-confidence) is a parliamentary procedure that allows Members of Parliament (MPs) to express their lack of confidence in the government. This motion is specifically used in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament, to test the majority of the ruling government.

Here's how a no-confidence motion works in India:

Proposing the Motion: A no-confidence motion can be initiated by any member of the Lok Sabha. The MP must give a written notice to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha stating the intention to move a motion of no-confidence against the government.

Adequate Support: The motion requires support from a minimum number of MPs to be accepted for debate. The exact number of MPs required may vary and is determined by the Speaker based on the current strength of the Lok Sabha. Usually, a considerable number of MPs must support the motion to ensure that frivolous or frequent motions do not disrupt the functioning of the House.

Debate and Discussion: Once the Speaker accepts the motion and ensures that the required number of MPs support it, the motion is scheduled for a debate and discussion in the Lok Sabha. During the debate, MPs from different parties can express their opinions about the government's performance and explain their reasons for supporting or opposing the motion.

Voting: After the conclusion of the debate, the Lok Sabha holds a vote to decide the fate of the motion. The Speaker allows MPs to vote in favor of, against, or abstain from the motion. If a majority of the MPs present and voting in the House vote in favor of the motion, the government is considered to have lost the confidence of the Lok Sabha.

Consequences: If the no-confidence motion is successful, the Prime Minister and the entire Council of Ministers are required to resign. The government's defeat in a no-confidence motion can lead to a political crisis, and the President of India may either invite the leader of the Opposition or any other party with a majority to form a new government, or dissolve the Lok Sabha and call for fresh elections.

Instances of no-confidence motions in recent times

2018: In July 2018, a no-confidence motion was moved against the Narendra Modi-led government by the opposition parties. The motion was brought forward by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and was supported by other opposition parties, including the Congress. The motion was moved primarily to highlight issues related to special category status for Andhra Pradesh and concerns about the government's policies. The government survived the motion as it secured a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha, and the motion was defeated.

2008: In July 2008, a no-confidence motion was moved against the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The motion was brought forward by the Left parties, who withdrew their support to the government over the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal. The government won the trust vote as it garnered the required number of votes and demonstrated a majority in the Lok Sabha.

1999: In April 1999, a no-confidence motion was moved against the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government. The motion was brought forward after the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) withdrew its support to the government. Despite losing the support of the AIADMK, the government managed to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha during the no-confidence vote and continued in power.