Andhra Pradesh Congress MPs don’t trust UPA; T storm may freeze Winter Session

New Delhi: Following the notices given by Congress, TD and YSRC MPs from Seemandhra to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha on moving a no-confidence motion against the UPA, the House is likely to witness a storm on Tuesday.

As per rules, the motion is to be taken up first after suspending the Question Hour. But, that will depend on the nod by the Speaker to accept the motion. Either way, the Telangana issue will take centre stage in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, MP Lagadapati Rajagopal said, "This Govt has lost people's confidence. Whether or not they have the numbers, it is high time that the Govt goes."

Congress MPs don't trust UPA govt

Hyderabad: History was created in Parliament on Monday when Seemandhra Congress MPs, who are vehemently opposed to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, issued notice for a no-confidence motion against the government which is led by their own party.

In a most unwelcome gift for Congress president Sonia Gandhi on her birthday on Monday, six Congress MPs, — Lagadapati Rajagopal, Vundavalli Arun Kumar, A. Sai Pratap, Sabbam Hari, G.V. Harsha Kumar and Rayapati Sambasiva Rao — gave notice for a no-confidence motion to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s office under Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha Rules and Procedures.

They were joined by four Telugu Desam MPs — K. Narayana Rao, N. Kishtappa, M. Venugopala Reddy and Dr N. Siva Prasad —and three MPs from the YSRC: Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, M. Rajamohan Reddy and S.P.Y. Reddy.

Reacting to this embarrassing move, AICC spokesman P.C. Chacko said that it was an “unexpected development” but the government would face it effectively.

He accused the Congress MPs of remaining silent when the party took the decision to create the new state. He said that the opposition within the party has been in the open and is not a new development. Mr Chacko said that the result of the no-confidence motion will be important.

The Speaker, after ascertaining that the notices are in order, will ask the House for leave to allow the motion. The Rules say that 50 members must be in support of the motion for it to be debated in the House and voted upon. In all probability, the notices will come before the House on Tuesday. It is uncertain whether Opposition parties will support it.

It may be recalled that Trinamul chief Mamata Banerjee had directed her party members to move a no-confidence motion agai-nst the UPA government, but it was defeated as other parties did not support it.

What’s next?

• In all probability, the notices will come before the House on Tuesday.
• The Speaker, after ascertaining that the notices are in order, will ask the House for permission to allow the motion.
• 50 members must support the motion for it to be debated in the House and voted upon.
• It is not clear whether Opposition parties will support it.

Next: Procedure to move no-trust vote in LS

Procedure to move no-trust vote in LS

Procedure regarding a motion of no-confidence in the Council of Ministers:

198 (1) A motion expressing want of confidence in the Council of Ministers may be made subject to the following restrictions, namely:

• (a) leave to make the motion shall be asked for by the member when called by the Speaker;
• (b) the member asking for leave shall, [by 10.00 hours on] that day give to the Secretary-General a written notice of the motion which he proposes to move. [Provided that notices, received after 10.00 hours, shall be deemed to have been received at 10.00 hours on the next day on which the House sits.]
• (2) If the Speaker is of opinion that the motion is in order, she shall read the motion to the House and shall request those members who are in favour of leave being granted to rise in their places, and if not less than fifty members rise accordingly, the Speaker shall declare that leave is granted and that the motion will be taken up on such day, not being more than ten days from the date on which the leave is asked for as she may appoint. If less than fifty members rise, the Speaker shall inform the member that he has not the leave of the House.
• If leave is granted under sub-rule (2), the Speaker may, after considering the state of business in the House, allot a day or days or part of a day for the discussion of the motion.
• (4) The Speaker shall, at the appointed hour on the allotted day or the last of the allotted days, as the case may be, forthwith put every question necessary to determine the decision of the House on the motion.
• (5) The Speaker may, if she thinks fit, prescribe a time limit for speeches.