No-Trust move over Telangana

Seemandhra Congress MPs create history of sorts, seek to topple their own government. Give Notice to LS Speaker Meira Kumar

• Four TDP MPs and three YSRCP MPs also give separate Notices
• Vundavalli to move the motion in LS at 12.15 pm today
• Support of 55 MPs mandatory for admission of the motion
• SP, TMC MPs expected to support it
• Digvijay, Ahmed Patel ask Congress MPs to withdraw Notice, they refuse
• 'Save Andhra’ slogans force adjournment of both Houses on Monday

New Delhi: For the first time in history, perhaps, ruling Congress MPs have given Notice to Speaker Meira Kumar of a No-Confidence Motion against the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. The issue will be raised in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday at 12.15 pm. The move of the Congress MPs was followed up by the TDP and the YSRCP MPs.

The Notice for the one-line Motion of No-Confidence states, “That this House expresses its No-Confidence in the Union Council of Ministers.” The Notice was given under Rule 198 of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha. When it is pressed in the House on Tuesday, over 55 MPs, representing 10 per cent of the House, which is mandatory under the rules, have to stand up in support of it.

It remains to be seen whether the rebel Congress MPs would be able to muster the requisite support to get the No-Confidence Motion admitted. Whatever the outcome, it will be a moment of great embarrassment for the Congress, as its own MPs stand up for moving the No-Confidence Motion against their own government.

AICC Spokesman P C Chacko said the Seemandhra Congress MPs’ opposition to Telangana was known, but it was never expected that they can come to such a level as to move a No-Confidence Motion against the government. Disciplinary action would follow, he signalled.

The Congress MPs, who signed the Notice of No-Confidence are Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, Sabbam Hari, Vundavalli Arun Kumar, A Sai Pratap, L Rajagopal and G V Harsha Kumar. Tactfully, the MPs, who had earlier tendered their resignations as Members of Parliament, withdrew their resignations, lest it should be accepted with immediate effect, before serving the Notice of No-Confidence.

This was followed by four TDP MPs --K Narayana, M Venugopal Reddy, N Kistappa and Siva Prasad. Later, the YSRCP MPs, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, Mekapati Rajmohan Reddy and S P Y Reddy, also gave a Notice of No-Confidence to the Speaker.

Meanwhile AICC general seceratary Digvijay Singh and Congress president’s political Secretary Ahmed Patel appealed to the Congress MPs to withdraw the Notice, but they refused to oblige them.

Earlier in the day, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day, amid slogans of Save Andhra Pradesh in both Houses. Ahead of the commencement of the proceedings of Parliament, the TDP MPs staged a dharna at the main entrance to Parliament, protesting against the government decision on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

The Congress rebels were busy trying to muster support of 55 MPs to support the No-Confidence Motion. They are trying to rope in Samajwadi Party (SP) with 21 MPs and Trinamool Congress with 19 MPs, who add up to 53 MPs, inclusive of 13 MPs who have signed Notices of No-Confidence Motion. Support of two more MPs has to be enlisted

However, what is doubtful is whether the House would be in order when the issue is taken up on Tuesday. If the Telangana Congress MPs rise to protest at that moment, it may lead to adjournment of the House. It remains to be seen how the proceedings in the Lok Sabha would be conducted.

They are trying to rope in Samajwadi Party (SP) with 21 MPs and Trinamool Congress with 19 MPs, who add up to 53 MPs, inclusive of 13 MPs who have signed Notices of No-Confidence Motion. Support of two more MPs has to be enlisted