No-confidence motion: NCP's Supriya Sule castigates Modi govt's track record; says BJP toppled 9 state govt's in as many years

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule speaks during the discussion on no-confidence motion against the Central Government in Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Photo/Sansad TV screengrab

Nationalist Congress Party Member of Parliament Supriya Sule Tuesday strongly criticized the Modi government during the no-confidence motion debate in the Lok Sabha. She lambasted the government's track record, citing issues such as state governments being toppled, price rise, food inflation, broken institutions, declining global indices, and alarming law and order situations in various states. Sule questioned the government's claims of being different and principled, while also highlighting issues such as women's safety and rising crime rates.

Sule questioned, "In 9 years, what have been your accomplishments? State governments have been toppled, prices have increased, food inflation has increased, institutions have collapsed, India has dropped significantly on global indexes, and law and order is now worrying as witnessed in Manipur and Haryana. You have toppled nine governments in nine years. Amit Shah spoke of principles one day. They then call themselves a party with a difference. How?"

Sule criticized the government's focus on initiatives like "Vande Bharat Express," questioning its significance when basic necessities like affordable transportation for the poor were compromised. She expressed concerns about thousands of women being raped and questioned the government's credibility in addressing these issues. Sule asserted that the government is failing to support the poor and honest citizens of the country.

Opposition's No-Confidence Motion:

The no-confidence motion was initiated by the Opposition bloc INDIA, with Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi leading the charge. Gogoi explained that the motion was brought to break Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "vow of silence" on the situation in Manipur. He alleged that the government's inaction has led to a divided Manipur, creating disparities between the hill and valley regions of the state.

Also read: Mumbai reports 226 malaria cases in one week

The no-confidence motion provided an opportunity for opposition parties to demonstrate their unity against the government. The numbers, however, are in favor of the government, making it unlikely for the motion to pass. Despite this, opposition parties aimed to present a united front and use the debate as a platform to voice their concerns and criticize the government's policies and actions.

Ahead of the debate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the BJP's parliamentary party meeting and took a dig at the INDIA alliance, saying that the opposition was "full of distrust" and had brought the no-confidence motion to showcase this sentiment. He referred to the opposition's claims that the Rajya Sabha voting would be a "semifinal" ahead of the 2024 elections and thanked those who congratulated him on the "semifinal" win.