Just a good move

The move for a no-confidence motion sponsored by both YSR Congress and the TDP may not topple the government, but they have certainly spurred the Opposition to get its act together, though the memory of previous no-confidence motion pulling down the NDA Government of Atal Bihari Vajapayee is still fresh in our minds.

Neither the BJP nor the Congress would have imagined that the competitive politics between YSR Congress and the Telugu Desam Party over the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh would draw the entire nation into the theatrics.

Though the results of such a contest are foregone given the fact that the BJP commands a majority by itself (even without the support of its coalition partners), the stage is set for political manoeuvring with TDP formally ending its association with NDA and a sulking Shiv Sena muttering about ‘absenting’ itself though it is a part of the Central and Maharashtra governments.

Parties like Trinamool Congress are looking to take the lead in attacking the BJP, while the Congress needs to utilise the debate to clearly underline Rahul Gandhi’s leadership role. The Lok Sabha Speaker will take up the notice on Monday when she will ask for at least 50 MPs to stand in support of the motion.

it is, however, unclear whether the AIADMK and TRS will relent in raising their state-specific issues to allow a proper consideration of the notice for a no-trust motion as required by the rules of procedure. If the motion is taken up, then the Opposition will have a lot of talking points with the Nirav Modi-PNB scam topping the agenda.

This time around, the voices would neither be feeble nor half-hearted. No non-AP party is interested in the competitive politics being played out in Andhra. If they agree to join hands with the motion on Monday it will be only to strengthen the anti-BJP forces. There is some reluctance on their part because they are not sure whether Chandrababu Naidu and Chandrasekhar Rao are talking of their own fronts or just a third front.

Naidu is not averse to joining hands with the Congress too in his fight for SCS and the latter too has offered its support to him. In fact, the AP Congress had already gone ahead and made the AICC plenary include a resolution favouring SCS when it comes to power. But, Chandrasekhar Rao has his own compulsions as his principle rival is Congress.

His seeks to float an anti-BJP and anti-Congress front which could find acceptance with someone like Mamata Banerjee. NCP’s Sharad Pawar too may not be averse to the idea but is still weighing his options keeping his Maharashtra moves in mind. But, this is all about future and not about this Monday. For the Speaker to take up the motion, the House needs to be in order. Parties like AIADMK could always create ruckus in their own interest. If that is the case, then the plans of both YSRCP and the TDP to score some brownie points will go awry.