PM Modi mocks Opposition INDIA alliance ahead of no-confidence motion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the BJP Parliamentary party meeting, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. PTI Photo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked on Tuesday that the opposition's no-confidence motion is indicative of a lack of trust among the INDIA bloc parties. He noted that they wish to gauge the level of support for their proposal within the alliance, according to sources.

During his address at the BJP parliamentary meeting, Modi referred to the opposition coalition as 'ghamandia' (marked by arrogance). He also lauded the party's Rajya Sabha members for their "semi-final" victory in the voting on the Delhi services bill.

Sources indicated that Modi recognized that some opposition members had labelled the Rajya Sabha vote as a "semi-final" before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He displayed confidence in the BJP's prospects for the national elections.

The Delhi services bill received parliamentary approval on Monday after the Rajya Sabha passed the contentious legislation, granting the Centre authority over bureaucracy in the national capital. The BJP-led NDA managed to counter opposition challenges in the closely watched numbers game.

Given the ruling party's strong majority in the Lok Sabha, it's expected to easily defeat the no-confidence motion. Modi compared the situation to hitting a "six" on the last ball before the 2024 polls.

He also referenced his 2018 speech in which he humorously invited the Opposition to bring a no-confidence motion against his government in 2023.

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Taking a dig at opposition parties, the prime minister highlighted their rhetoric about social justice, while accusing them of damaging it through dynastic, appeasement, and corrupt politics. He reiterated his call for a departure from corruption, dynastic politics, and appeasement practices in India.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was reinstated as the Lok Sabha MP a day ago will open the debate on the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday, the party's Lok Sabha chief whip K Suresh said.

Rahul Gandhi was reinstated as Lok Sabha MP on Monday, three days after the Supreme Court suspended his criminal defamation conviction in the Modi surname case

Manipur is set to dominate the three-day debate commencing today in the Lok Sabha on the opposition's no-confidence motion.

"Today in Lok Sabha, No Confidence Motion is going to be discussed. At 12 noon, the no-confidence motion will be taken up. So, from Congress' side, Rahul Gandhi is the first speaker on the No Confidence Motion," Congress' Lok Sabha whip Suresh said. (Agencies)