Opposition MPs Accuse Government of Subverting Parliamentary Traditions, Demand Urgent Debate on No-Confidence Motion

During the Monsoon session of Parliament, the Centre is being accused by Opposition parties of undermining Parliamentary traditions by pushing its legislative agenda and passing Bills even though a motion of no-confidence has been accepted in the Lok Sabha. Congress MP Manish Tewari referred to a statement made by former Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Satyendra Narayan Sinha, who emphasized that no substantive motion should be brought when a no-confidence motion is pending.

Despite the no-confidence motion being submitted by Gaurav Gogoi on behalf of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A), the government continued with its legislative business. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, demanded an immediate discussion on the no-confidence motion, citing Rule 198.

However, the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accepted the motion but deferred the debate’s timing to a later point. Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha objected to the tabling and passing of Bills after a no-confidence motion has been accepted, and he urged the Speaker not to conduct any legislative business until the motion is debated.

Despite the Opposition’s objections and adjournment notices related to the Manipur issue, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, was passed in the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023. In both cases, the Opposition members either staged a walkout or engaged in sloganeering during the proceedings.

In summary, the Opposition is accusing the government of disregarding Parliamentary traditions by proceeding with legislative activities while a no-confidence motion is pending, and they are demanding an immediate discussion on the motion before any other business is conducted.