India’s top opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, participated in a debate on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in the Lok Sabha, lower house of India’s Parliament.
This came as Gandhi was reinstated as a lawmaker on Monday, August 7, 2023, after the Supreme court halted his criminal defamation conviction for mocking the Prime Minister’s surname.
In his remarks, Gandhi criticized Modi’s government for its failure to curb the ethnic conflict in Manipur state and the Prime Minister’s failure to visit the state.
“I went to Manipur a few days ago. Our prime minister has not gone there, he has not gone there till now. He does not consider Manipur part of India. I used the word Manipur, but the reality is, there is no Manipur left. You have divided Manipur into two parts, you have broken up Manipur.”
Rahul Gandhi
The Congress Party MP accused the Modi government of killing the spirit of India in Manipur by silencing people’s voices. He also accused Modi of choosing silence while Manipur state burned creating a situation of civil war.
“When I said that India is a voice of people, the heart, that voice has been murdered in India; It means Bharat Mata has been killed in Manipur. By killing the people of Manipur you have murdered Manipur. You are anti-national as you have killed Bharat Mata (mother India).
“And it is the reason why your Prime Minister cannot go to Manipur as he has killed India in Manipur and in the hearts of the people of Manipur.”
Rahul Gandhi
Additionally, Gandhi stated that the army should have been able to stop the violence by now.
Despite the presence of troops in Manipur, the violence has continued for over three months. More than 150 people have died in Manipur and over 50,000 people have fled in fear since clashes erupted in early May.
“The army can restore peace in a day. You are not using the army,” Gandhi said.
Modi’s party objected to Gandhi’s criticisms. Union Minister, Kiren Rijiju said that the Congress leader should apologise for his remarks as it is the Congress party which is responsible for insurgency and other problems in the northeast.
Nowhere In This Country Is There A whiff Of No-Confidence
While participating in the debate on the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah stated that the opposition moved no-confidence motion against Modi government only to create a delusion.
“The Prime Minister has given new hope to the poor of this country. Nowhere in this country is there a whiff of no-confidence. There is not a no-confidence in the PM and this government in the country. People have complete faith in PM. This no-confidence motion has been brought only to create a delusion… This no-confidence motion is politically motivated.”
Amit Shah
Shah emphasized that the Modi government is the only government after independence which has won the trust of most of the people.
Shah added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most popular leader among the public.
“PM Modi works tirelessly for the people of the country. He works continuously for 17 hours a day, without taking a single leave. People trust him.”
Amit Shah
Amit Shah said that this no-confidence motion will show the real character of the Opposition in the country.
A vote on the no-confidence motion is expected to take place on Thursday, August 10, 2023. Rajnath Singh confirmed that Modi will be present in the Lok Sabha on Thursday to reply to the no-confidence motion.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled government holds a clear majority in Parliament, meaning the motion is certain to be defeated.
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