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Budget session-II washed out, Govt gets away without no-confidence embarrassment, Opposition gains doubtful

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Budget session-II washed out, Govt gets away without no-confidence embarrassment, Opposition gains doubtful

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The second half of the Parliament’s Budget session that began on March 5 ended in a complete washout on Friday, April 6, with little legislative business transacted, issues debated or questions answered.

The persistent protests disrupted proceedings every day, but no efforts were made to resolve differences or have a debate on the issues agitating the members to let the House move ahead. No all-party meetings was called, either by the Speaker or by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister.

On Thursday, said a report in The Hindustan Times (HT), parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar had hit out at Congress, calling it the main culprit behind the disruptions in the House, while former Congress president Sonia Gandhi accused him of lying and said it was the government that had not allowed the Parliament to function.

It is doubtful what the parties, whose members regularly plunged the House in commotion, gained from the disturbance, but the Modi government did manage to get away without facing the embarrassment of facing any of the three no-confidence motions asked for by TDP, YSR Congress and Congress. (See Box below)

While the government could easily have sailed through with its clear majority in the Lok Sabha, it would have been subjected to a full scale attack on a host of contentious issues on which it is facing flak and finds itself on the backfoot: bank scams, Nirav Modi’s turning up at meet with PM and then fleeing the country, farmer protests, Dalit protests, students’ protests, state of universities and education including ministers’ statements on evolution and Stephen Hawking, foreign relations, China in Doklam, ceasefire violations, joblessness, investment and industry, et al. The no-confidence motion gives a free hand to political parties to raise any and every issue during the debate that would be broadcast live, would go in official records and be reported in media.

The government was spared all of that. Now, the BJP intends to derive further benefit by asking its MPs to go on a one-day fast on April 12 against the disruptions and wastage of Parliament’s time and public money – which Ananth Kumar blamed on Congress, reported HT.

As the Lok Sabha failed to take up the no-confidence motion notices moved by the Opposition amid repeated disruptions by various parties, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said they should keep in mind the larger interests of the nation. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu urged the protesters not to make the Rajya Sabha a “clog in the wheel” of progress, reported The Indian Express.

The disruptions and adjournments were caused by protests over issues like special status to Andhra Pradesh, bank scams, demand for Cauvery water management board, vandalising of statues, review of the recent Supreme Court order on SC/ST Act and law and order situation in Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh.

The second leg of the session, that started on March 5, had 22 sittings that were mostly disrupted. On the whole, a total of nearly 250 working hours were wasted. Of the 19 starred questions, only five were answered orally by Ministers in the Rajya Sabha, while 17 of the 580 such questions were replied to orally in the Lok Sabha during the 29 sittings.

Only five bills, including the crucial Finance Bill 2018 for which the Budget Session is convened, were passed and five were introduced during the Budget session in the Lok Sabha. Besides, the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2017 were among those passed.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, which was passed in the Lok Sabha last December, remained pending in the Upper House.

In her summary report, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the House functioned for a total of 34 hours and 5 minutes during the 29 sittings. A total of 127 hours and 45 minutes were affected by interruptions and forced adjournments. She also said around 9 hours and 47 minutes went in to transact urgent government business in the Lower House.

The last day of the session also witnessed disruptions due to protests by AIADMK and Congress members over setting up of the Cauvery river management board as well as by TDP members demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.

“Today is the last day. If you are not ready… I will adjourn the House sine die,” a visibly peeved Mahajan told agitating members.

She also said she wanted to take up the notices for no-confidence motion. “I am sorry… if you don’t want to take up (notices for no-confidence motion,” she said before reading out a brief summary of the Budget session and its second leg which began on March 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House.

Members from both the AIADMK, TDP and the Congress holding placards trooped into the Well even before proceedings began for the day. While most of them left the Well after the Speaker’s appeal, the TDP members remained in the Well when Mahajan was reading out the closing statement.

The Rajya Sabha also witnessed disruptions with the Chairman voicing anguish over missed opportunities. “I am pained to note that it turned out to be an eminently forgettable one on account of utter disregard of the mandate of this important parliamentary institution and its responsibilities and missed opportunities,” Naidu said in his concluding address to the 245th session of Rajya Sabha.

The House lost nearly three-fourths of its time to disruptions and adjournments. During the second leg of the session, the Rajya Sabha had 30 sittings in all. While it sat for 44 hours, the Upper House lost over 121 hours.

Naidu stated that the Question Hour could not be taken up for 27 days “due to pandemonium and interruptions in the House over one or the other issue” and noted that there was a “total breakdown” in communication among various sections of the House that was “at the root of the prolonged stalemate that ruined the session.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1523021241019{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #d1d1d1 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]How the notice for No-confidence motion was handled, as per a report in The Indian Express:

On March 29, the newspaper ran a report that summed up how the fate of the no-confidence motion notice. The headline put its aptly: “1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes… And Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan says House stands adjourned”

The report said that the total time spent on a substantive motion like the no-trust motion has been all of 16 minutes over eight days.

“Everybody is ready to discuss the no-confidence motion. They are also ready, this side is also ready, but we cannot proceed like this,” said Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on March 28 before she adjourned proceedings for the eighth day since the first no-trust motion notice against the government, the IE reported. The proceedings were adjourned 11 minutes past noon.

That day, it was only AIADMK MPs who were in the well, disrupting proceedings. Before the Speaker took up the no-confidence motion matter, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar stood up and accused the Congress of “stalling the House since the first day” while the Congress MPs remained seated.

The IE report said this had been the scene in Lok Sabha since March 16 when the YSRCP and TDP gave notices for a motion of no-confidence.

While initially they had disrupted proceedings protesting the Centre’s refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh, their members had remained seated ever since the two parties gave the no-confidence motion notice. AIADMK members continued to troop to the well of the House, raising placards and shouting slogans.

This is what has happened on the no-confidence motion notices in Lok Sabha:

* Friday, March 16: 12.05-12.06 pm (One minute)

Speaker: Honourable members, I have received notices of Motion of No Confidence in the Council of Ministers from Shri Y V Subba Reddy and Shri Thota Narasimham. I am duty-bound to bring the notices before the House. Unless the House is in order, I will not be in a position to count the 50 members who have to stand in their assigned places so that I can ascertain as to whether the leave has been granted or not… Please go to your seats… I request all of you to go back to your seats. I am sorry..: Since the House is not in order, I will not be able to bring the notices before the House…

12.06 pm: The House stands adjourned to meet again on Monday, the 19th March, 2018 at 11 am.

* Monday, March 19: 12.06 to 12.08 pm (Two minutes)

Speaker: I have received notices of Motion of No Confidence in the Council of Ministers from Shri Y V Subba Reddy, Shri Thota Narasimham and Shri Jayadev Galla. I am duty-bound to bring the notices before the House. Unless the House is in order, I will not be in a position to count the 50 members who have to stand in their assigned places so that I can ascertain as to whether the leave has been granted or not. I am requesting the honourable members to please go to your seats. I can’t see anybody.

12.08 pm: The House stands adjourned to meet again on Tuesday, the 20th March 2018 at 11 am.

* Tuesday, March 20: 12.13-12.14 pm (One minute)

Speaker: I have received notices of Motion of No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers from Sarvashri YV Subba Reddy and Thota Narasimhan. I am duty-bound to bring the notices before the House. Unless the House is in order, I will not be in a position to count the 50 members who have to stand in their assigned places so that I can ascertain as to whether the leave has been granted or not. Therefore, I request all of you to go back to your seats… This is not good. You should have some sensitivity towards the people of India. What kind of a politics is this? The confidence motions have to be discussed, but you are not cooperating… Since the House is not in order, I will not be able to bring the notices before the House.

12.14 pm: The House stands adjourned to meet again on Wednesday, the 21st March, 2018 at 11 am.

* Wednesday, March 21: 12.05 -12.07 pm (Two minutes)

Speaker: I have received notices of Motion of No Confidence in the Council of Ministers from Sarvashri Thota Narasimham and YV Subba Reddy. I am duty-bound to bring the notices before the House. Please listen to me. Unless the House is in order, I will not be in a position to count the 50 members. I have to count the heads. I just cannot see anything from here. How can I count the heads? I have to count 50 members who have to stand in their assigned places so that I can ascertain as to whether the leave has been granted or not. I request all of you to go back to your seats. Please listen to me. I cannot even see anybody… Since the House is not in order, I will not be able to bring the notices before the House. I am sorry.

12.07 pm: The House stands adjourned to meet again on Thursday, the 22nd March, 2018 at 11 am.

* Thursday, March 22: 12.06-12.08 pm (Two minutes)

Speaker: Please go back to your seats. I have received notices of Motion of No Confidence in the Council of Ministers from Sarvashri Thota Narasimham and Y V Subba Reddy. I am duty-bound to bring the notices before the House. Unless the House is in order, I will not be in a position to count the 50 members who have to stand in their assigned places. I have to count the heads. I am not able to ascertain as to whether the leave has been granted or not. I cannot ascertain this. Therefore, I request all of you to go back to your seats. I just want to count the heads. I just cannot see anything. Since the House is not in order, I will not be able to bring the notices before the House.(SAD MP Prem Singh Chandumajra tried to seek a House holiday on the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh)

12.08 pm: The House stands adjourned to meet again on Friday, the 23rd March, 2018 at 11 am.

* Friday, March 23: 12.06-12.09 pm (Three minutes)

Speaker: I have received notices of Motion of No Confidence in the Council of Ministers from Sarvashri Y V Subba Reddy and Thota Narasimham. I am duty-bound to bring the notices before the House. Unless the House is in order, I will not be in a position to count the 50 members who have to stand in their assigned places so that I can ascertain as to whether the leave has been granted or not. Therefore, I request all of you to go back to your seats… I want to take it up. Even honourable members sitting on my right side are ready to have discussion. If all of you agree, then only I can do this. You all may please cooperate. So, I would like to request you to go back to your seats. It cannot happen like this. Since the House is not in order, I will not be able to bring the notices before the House. I am sorry.

I have to make one announcement. Many honourable members have requested me that there is Ram Navmi on 25th of March 2018 and because of that a number of programmes have been organised and the honourable members will have to attend those programmes. So, many honourable members have requested me for declaring 26th of March as a holiday. I am accepting their request.

12.09 pm: The House stands adjourned to meet again on Tuesday, the 27th March, 2018 at 11 am.

* Tuesday, March 27: 12.07-12.09 pm (Two minutes)

Speaker: I have received notices of Motion of No Confidence in the Council of Ministers from Sarvashri Thota Narasimham, Mallikarjun Kharge, Y V Subba Reddy, P Karunakaran, Mohd. Salim, N K Premachandran, Srinivas Kesineni, P K Kunhalikutty, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Jayadev Galla, Asaduddin Owaisi, P V Midhun Reddy and Jose K Mani. I am duty-bound to bring the notices before the House… Please go back to your seats. I cannot do like this. Unless the House is in order, I will not be in a position to count the 50 members who have to stand in their assigned places so that I can ascertain as to whether the leave has been granted or not. Therefore, I request all of you to go back to your seats. This is not the way. Please put down your placards. This is not the way. I am sorry to say this. Please go back to your seats. Since the House is not in order, I will not be able to bring the notices before the House… I cannot do anything. Please go back to your seats.

12.09 pm: The House stands adjourned to meet again on Wednesday, the 28th March, 2018 at 11 am.

* Wednesday, March 28: 12.08-12.11 pm (Three minutes)

Speaker: I am speaking about No Confidence Motion. But how can I proceed? I am sorry. I have received notices of Motion of No Confidence in the Council of Ministers from Sarvashri Thota Narasimham, Y V Subba Reddy, Konakalla Narayana Rao, Srinivas Kesineni, N K Premachandran, Mohd. Salim, P Karunakaran, P V Midhun Reddy, P K Kunhalikutty, Mallikarjun Kharge, M Srinivasa Rao, Asaduddin Owaisi and Jayadev Galla. I am duty-bound to bring the notices before the House. But unless the House is in order, I will not be in a position to count the 50 members. How can I count? It is not possible. All of you will have to go to your seats. I am sorry. I am not able to ascertain as to whether the leave has been granted or not. I cannot ascertain this. This is not the way. How can I count? Please go back to your seats. Everybody is ready to discuss No-Confidence Motion. They are also ready, this side is also ready, but we cannot proceed like this… Since the House is not in order, I will not be able to bring the notices before the House. I am sorry. Honourable members, this is not the way. I am sorry. I cannot hear anybody.

12.11 pm: The House stands adjourned to meet on Monday, the 2nd April, 2018 at 11 am.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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MK Stalin announces major DMK organisational Changes in Tamil Nadu

MK Stalin has announced a major DMK organisational overhaul, introducing age and term limits and expanding party districts from 77 to 110.

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1 day ago

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August 22, 2026

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DMK chief MK Stalin has announced a major overhaul of the party’s organisational structure, months after the party lost the Tamil Nadu assembly election.

Acknowledging the defeat, Stalin said the party must openly recognise its mistakes. He also pointed to the functioning of party office-bearers as one of the factors behind the electoral loss.

“Although there are several reasons for our defeat, the functioning of our party office-bearers is also one of them,” Stalin said, stressing that the party must acknowledge its shortcomings and ensure better performance at every level.

Stalin also described the DMK as a “specialist” in making comebacks and said the party would return stronger.

Age and term limits for party posts

Among the major changes announced by Stalin are age and tenure limits for party positions.

Stalin said the changes would involve a significant restructuring of the DMK’s administrative system, with priority being given to new faces. He said the measures were intended to make the party sustainable for the next 100 years and help restore the trust of young people and women.

Under the new rules, branch secretaries must be aged 45 or below and can hold the position for a maximum of two terms.

District secretaries, meanwhile, must be below 70 years of age and can serve for a maximum of three terms.

DMK to increase party districts from 77 to 110

The DMK executive committee has approved increasing the number of party districts from 77 to 110.

The expansion will be implemented as part of the party’s 16th organisational elections. Revenue districts will generally be reorganised so that each party district covers two assembly constituencies.

Where only one constituency remains after the reorganisation, it will be attached to another suitable party district within the same revenue district as a third constituency.

Stalin has been authorised to determine and announce the constituencies that will form the 110 party districts.

New branch structure planned in urban areas

The DMK will also introduce a new branch-level structure in urban areas, along with the post of branch secretary.

The new system will initially be implemented in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Salem. It may subsequently be extended to other corporations.

Once the new party districts are announced, district executive committees will have to meet and establish the union, city, area, town, ward and branch-level units within 15 days.

The organisational changes come as the DMK seeks to restructure its party machinery and prepare for its political comeback following its assembly election defeat.

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Jharkhand students, JMM workers clash over Hemant Soren effigy burning

Clashes broke out in Ranchi, Hazaribag and Giridih as protesting students attempted to burn effigies of Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi.

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August 22, 2026

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Clashes broke out between protesting students and police in Ranchi and several other parts of Jharkhand on Friday evening as students attempted to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, officials said.

Similar incidents were reported in Hazaribag and Giridih, where workers of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) clashed with students who were trying to burn effigies of Soren.

The protesting students are affiliated with the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch. They have accused the Jharkhand government of deceiving and betraying job aspirants following the High Court’s intervention in cases concerning recruitment examinations and appointments.

In Ranchi, a large number of students gathered at Albert Chowk to burn the effigies. Police said a scuffle broke out when they tried to control the situation.

Ranchi DSP KV Raman said the protesters changed the designated route of their march and went towards the JPSC office, where traffic was brought to a halt.

According to Raman, police repeatedly asked the protesters to follow the designated route for the march and effigy burning, but the students did not comply.

Student leaders, however, alleged that police and JMM workers attempted to prevent them from holding a peaceful march.

“They cannot stop us from holding peaceful and democratic protests,” JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said.

Another student leader, Piyush Kumar Singh, alleged that a core committee member of the Manch, Kunal, was detained by police. He claimed that Kunal fainted and was subsequently taken to Sadar Hospital.

The protesters also alleged that female participants were assaulted by JMM workers during the scuffle.

Why are Jharkhand students protesting?

The students had earlier called off their agitation after the Hemant Soren government decided to cancel JPSC examinations where irregularities had been alleged.

However, the Jharkhand High Court subsequently intervened in several matters related to the recruitment process.

On Friday, the court stayed notifications cancelling the appointments of Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and those recruited through the JSSC-CGL examination.

A day earlier, the court had stayed notifications cancelling the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations. It had also stayed the order cancelling the appointments of food safety officers.

The developments have renewed the students’ concerns over the government’s handling of recruitment-related cases.

JLKM announces recruitment reforms yatra

Meanwhile, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto announced that his party would launch a ‘Recruitment System Reforms Yatra’ from August 24.

Mahto alleged that the Jharkhand government was not strongly defending cases concerning the cancellation of several recruitment examinations before the High Court.

He warned that if the government failed to effectively present its case before the Jharkhand High Court on September 15, when the matters are scheduled for hearing, they would plan to gherao the Chief Minister’s residence.

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BJP eyes Akali Dal alliance in Punjab after Bengal victory

The BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal have held talks on a possible alliance for the Punjab Assembly election, with seat-sharing expected to be discussed soon.

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2 days ago

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August 22, 2026

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Punjab BJP

Buoyed by its victory in West Bengal, the BJP is stepping up preparations for the Punjab Assembly election, with the party holding talks with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on a possible alliance.

According to sources, the BJP is expected to contest the election in alliance with the Akali Dal. One round of discussions has already taken place, while another round is expected soon. The next talks are likely to focus on seat-sharing and the constituencies that each party would contest.

BJP leaders believe an alliance could offer political gains to both parties and strengthen their cooperation. The party also believes a combined effort could improve its prospects in Punjab’s four-way electoral contest.

BJP and Akali Dal vote share

The BJP is drawing confidence from the 2024 Lok Sabha election, when it and the Akali Dal contested separately.

The BJP did not win any of Punjab’s 13 Lok Sabha seats but secured 18.56 per cent of the vote. The Akali Dal won one seat with a 13.42 per cent vote share. Together, the two parties accounted for approximately 32 per cent of the vote.

The BJP believes that adding further support to this combined base could pose a strong challenge to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which the party says is facing anti-incumbency.

The previous Punjab Assembly election presented a different picture. The Akali Dal won three of the state’s 117 seats with 18.38 per cent of the vote, while the BJP won two seats with a 6.60 per cent vote share.

The BJP’s vote share in the Lok Sabha election was therefore significantly higher than in the Assembly election, strengthening the argument within the party for contesting a larger number of seats if the alliance is finalised.

BJP sees strong position across Punjab

The BJP’s assessment is also based on its performance across Assembly segments during the Lok Sabha election.

The party led in 23 Assembly segments, while the Akali Dal was ahead in nine. The BJP finished second in around 17 segments, compared with 14 for the Akali Dal.

The BJP also lost five seats by margins of less than 5,000 votes and 10 seats by margins of less than 10,000 votes. The party therefore believes it has demonstrated a strong position on its own in 38 Assembly seats.

According to the assessment, contesting together could give the BJP and Akali Dal a stronger electoral position.

BJP, Akali Dal have history of alliance

The BJP and Akali Dal maintained an alliance from 1996 to 2020 and recorded several major victories together.

In the 1997 Assembly election, the Akali Dal won 75 seats and the BJP won 18, giving the alliance a landslide victory.

The alliance also won the 2007 election, with the Akali Dal securing 49 seats and the BJP winning 19. In 2012, the two parties created history by winning a second consecutive term, with the Akali Dal winning 56 seats and the BJP 12.

Against this backdrop, the proposed alliance is being viewed within the BJP as a potentially formidable combination.

BJP targets AAP government

The BJP is preparing to target the AAP government over allegations of corruption, governance failures and unfulfilled promises.

The party is also expected to highlight financial assistance and schemes provided to Punjab by the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP may present a comprehensive vision document focused on employment and economic growth, along with measures aimed at rebuilding Panthic and social trust.

The party has alleged that the AAP government, which came to power promising to fight corruption, has failed to deliver on that front.

According to the BJP, 144 government officials were arrested in corruption cases last year, while 43 Punjab Police personnel were caught in bribery traps. The party has also cited the dismissal of then Cabinet Minister Vijay Singla over corruption allegations and Vigilance Bureau raids involving MLA Raman Arora in connection with a corruption case.

The BJP has further alleged that the AAP’s senior leadership in Delhi controls the functioning of the Punjab government and extracts undue benefits from contractors.

BJP raises health and education concerns

The BJP has also accused the Punjab government of shortcomings in health, education and social justice.

According to figures cited by the BJP, Punjab’s primary-level dropout rate is 2.5 per cent, compared with a national average of 0.3 per cent.

The party has also highlighted health infrastructure figures, claiming that only 52.5 per cent of Punjab’s 3,699 health centres meet Indian Public Health Standards. It further claims that 4.3 per cent of district hospitals and 4.9 per cent of Community Health Centres meet prescribed national quality standards, while 15.7 per cent of Primary Health Centres meet the standards.

The BJP has also raised the issue of teacher vacancies in government schools while questioning the state’s education model.

The party has pointed to a promise to establish 16 medical colleges in Punjab and alleged that none has been set up.

BJP highlights central schemes in Punjab

Alongside its criticism of the state government, the BJP plans to highlight financial assistance provided by the Centre.

According to the BJP, Rs. 7,596.84 crore was provided under PM-KISAN to 18 lakh farmer beneficiaries.

It also said Rs. 8,144.11 crore was allocated for rural development and the generation of 8.14 lakh person-days of work under MGNREGA.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the BJP said Rs. 1,722.68 crore was provided for rural roads and 415 bridges. Another Rs. 359.56 crore was allocated for individual and community toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).

The BJP also cited the Jal Jeevan Mission, under which 32 lakh households were provided tap water connections, and the Amrit Sarovar Mission, under which 816 water bodies were developed.

The party is also expected to highlight central support for railway and airport projects in Punjab.

BJP considers employment-focused promises

The BJP is considering several election promises as it prepares its campaign.

The party is weighing proposals aimed at moving Punjab’s economy away from what it describes as a freebies-based approach towards employment and wealth creation. Financial assistance for women and the establishment of medical colleges are among the proposals under consideration.

The broader strategy is to combine criticism of the AAP government with an alternative political model focused on Punjab’s economy, health, education and Panthic concerns.

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