A no-confidence motion has been moved against the Narendra Modi led NDA government by Telugu Desam Party’s Kesineni Srinivas. The speaker of Lok Sabha admitted the motion and said she would announce the date for a debate on it in “two-three days”. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had quit the BJP led coalition in March in protest against the government after failing to secure a special package for Andhra Pradesh.

It is quite extraordinary that a government with such an awe-inspiring majority should face a no-confidence motion. It is worth noting that this motion will set forth a solemn course of events that decide not only the fate of the government but also of an entire country and its people. The outcome of this motion, however, is very well known. The BJP led coalition with a majority of 336 seats in India’s 543-seat lower house of parliament is bound to win the motion.

This might seem like a complete waste of time in the already short monsoon session when 68 vital bills are pending before the parliament. India is, however, a democracy and the voice of the opposition, however small needs to be heard. The debate that will follow will discuss the special status that TDP members have been demanding for Andhra Pradesh. Also, the rising concerns regarding mob lynching, atrocities against women and Dalits and dilution of a law meant for Scheduled Caste’s will be addressed in the building that represents the democracy enjoyed by Indians.

The leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge did say that several parties sitting in the opposition have agreed to address these issues along with some “common issues” finalized by opposition parties. Also, this debate will take away reasons to disrupt the proceedings of the house from the politicians. Narendra Modi spoke to the reporters at the beginning of the session saying “Any party wants to raise any issue; this government is ready for a discussion.”

Promises of a debate regarding important issues have been made by the government and the opposition.  The people wait hopefully for this discussion that might air their grievances. All that is left is to see if their hopes are fulfilled or whether political manoeuvres actually render it useless making it a waste of precious time.

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