The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced a no-confidence motion for the second time in its nine years in response to the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against the NDA government.
- The Lok Sabha initiated the no-confidence debate on 8th August 2023 on Manipur issue and it was defeated after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply.
About a no-confidence motion
- A no-confidence motion is a parliamentary process that signifies that the present government is no longer deemed fit to hold positions of responsibility.
- In a parliamentary democracy, a government can be in power only if it commands a majority in the directly elected House. Article 75(3) of our Constitution embodies this rule by specifying that the Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
- Any Lok Sabha MP, who can garner the support of 50 colleagues, can, at any point of time, introduce a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers.
- A no-confidence motion can only be moved in the Lok Sabha.
- Finally, a vote takes place – in case the motion carries, the government is bound to vacate the office.
- It was during the third Lok Sabha in 1963 that the first motion of no confidence was moved by Acharya J B Kripalani against the government headed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
