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No confidence vote: Outcome known, BJP & Opposition hope to score propaganda points

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8 years ago

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No confidence vote: Outcome known, BJP & Opposition hope to score propaganda points

~By Rajesh Sinha

The four-year-old NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces its first motion of no-confidence on Friday, July 20.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who had repeatedly turned down notices for such a motion during the Budget session, on Wednesday admitted a notice moved by the Telugu Desam Party. While the outcome of a confidence vote was a foregone conclusion – even in the Budget session – the opposition parties intend to use it to make an all out attack on the government on a range of issues: In the normal course, they would have to give notice for a discussion on each of the topics separately. A no-confidence motion removes this limitation.

BJP was wary of having such a debate during Budget session, with the crucial Karnataka assembly election – for BJP under Amit Shah’s presidentship, every election is crucial – about to come up.

Now, the BJP leadership reckons, it suits the party. Media reports quoting BJP sources said that the change in the government’s approach to allow the no-confidence vote was driven by party president Amit Shah. He convinced the rest of the leadership that the debate on the no-confidence motion would afford the government the opportunity to expose the Opposition narrative and also its lack of unity.

The BJP felt that once the no-trust vote is debated and defeated, the Opposition would not have any excuse to disrupt proceedings of the House.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will reply to the debate, is expected to use the occasion as a launching pad for the 2019 campaign.

“We will put the welfare schemes and development projects carried out by the government in last four years before the people,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar.

A BJP leader said the government’s numbers would also work to its advantage as more lawmakers from the ruling coalition would get an opportunity to speak on the motion than the Opposition because of its sheer strength in the Lok Sabha: Parties are allocated time in debates according to their strength in parliament.

The debate on the motion is likely to go on beyond the normal time of 6 pm for the House. PM Narendra Modi, who will be the last speaker in the debate, will have people of the country watching him as they come home and sit down to watch TV.

The PM’s speech is expected to be a veritable launch of his Lok Sabha election campaign.

Some analysts wrote that the PM could use the no-confidence motion debate to call for an early election. Winning the vote to retain his projected image of being ‘unbeatable’ would be an opportune time, especially in view of the weak footing the BJP finds itself in for the assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram Assembly polls in November-December.

Modi-Shah led BJP, which has been rooting for simultaneous elections, would stand a better chance if the Lok Sabha polls are also called at the same time, argue these analysts.

The Opposition would hope its speakers succeed in conveying to the people why nearly all Opposition parties are against the Modi government. They will speak on a host of issues – price rise, lynchings, Jammu & Kashmir, foreign policy, flight of capital, increase in deposits by Indians in Swiss banks, fleeing of economic offenders from India, atrocities on Dalits and security of women.

The Congress was not too happy at TDP’s motion being admitted. Eight notices of no confidence in the Council of Ministers were received as the monsoon session of Parliament commenced. Three notices came from the TDP, two from the Congress, and one each from the NCP, CPM, and RSP.

The Speaker allowed TDP MP Kesineni Srinivas’ notice given to protest denial of a special package for Andhra Pradesh. She said Srinivas’ notice was the “first in point of time”, said some media reports (– though some others said it was done by lottery; the confusion remains).

Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress’ designated leader in Lok Sabha, reportedly made his party’s displeasure known on the floor of the House at the Speaker’s decision.

The reason is, it is the party which initiates the motion that will open the debate and get enough time to make its point. All other parties would get time as per their strength, and those parties would have to make adjustments accordingly, especially if they have more than one speaker.

The BJP and most of media hype is about the result of the no-confidence vote and the numbers game. That, however, is no secret. The 13-party NDA has 315 MPs in the House where the current effective strength is 536, instead of 545, there being nine vacancies. The government needs 269 votes to defeat the no-confidence motion.

The BJP has 274, including rebel MPs Shatrughan Sinha and Kirti Azad who stand to lose their membership if they defy the party whip to vote against the motion.

The UPA comprising the Congress, NCP, RJD, IUML, JMM and Kerala Congress Mani, has 64 MPs. The Congress has 48.

Other parties, including Independents, have 157 MPs.

The numbers explain the quickness with which the Speaker returned after lunch break to list discussions on the no-confidence motion on July 20. She said the entire business of the House, question hour, zero hour and private members’ Bills, will be suspended that day to take up the notice.

It was false confidence shown by Sonia Gandhi when she said: “Who told you the Opposition does not have the numbers?”

But then, one rarely ever says ‘we know are going to lose’.

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Pralhad Joshi appointed Education Minister after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation

Pralhad Joshi has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Education Ministry after President Droupadi Murmu accepted Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation amid the prolonged student protests over alleged examination paper leaks.

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2 hours ago

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July 25, 2026

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Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has been given the additional charge of the Ministry of Education after President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.

The President’s office confirmed the appointment through an official communique issued on Saturday evening. Joshi will continue to hold his existing portfolio as Union Minister of Food and Consumer Affairs while also overseeing the Education Ministry.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid prolonged protests

Dharmendra Pradhan submitted his resignation on the 35th day of the student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged examination paper leaks.

In his resignation letter, the 57-year-old leader said he chose to step down to prevent anti-national forces from exploiting the situation.

“For over four decades, I have dedicated myself to the cause of students, teachers, and educational reform. I have always believed that a robust, inclusive, and visionary education system forms the cornerstone of a strong nation,” Pradhan said.

CJP ends protest after Centre’s assurance

Hours after Pradhan’s resignation, CJP spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, during a joint press conference with Union ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh, announced that the organisation was ending its protest in good faith after receiving assurances from the Centre that its demands would be addressed.

The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan had been the principal demand of the organisation founded by Abhijeet Dipke, a Boston University graduate who returned to India to lead the campaign against alleged examination paper leaks.

Joshi reiterates government’s stand on students

A day before taking charge of the Education Ministry, Pralhad Joshi said the Centre remained committed to protecting students’ interests and ensuring strict action against irregularities affecting examinations.

He also alleged that anti-social elements were attempting to exploit the CJP-led protests and urged students to remain vigilant while continuing peaceful demonstrations.

“The Modi government has always stood with students and the youth. It remains committed to taking strict action against any irregularities or injustices that affect their future,” Joshi had said.

He added that while students have every right to protest peacefully, they should ensure that their genuine concerns are not misused by anti-social elements.

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Dharmendra Pradhan submits resignation to PM Modi amid student protests

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hours before the third round of talks between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party.

Published

9 hours ago

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July 25, 2026

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Dharmendra Pradhan

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a major development amid the ongoing student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

Pradhan announced the decision through a post on X, just hours before the Centre was scheduled to hold the third round of talks with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has been leading the agitation over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.

The resignation of the Education Minister had remained the primary demand of the protesters, who have been camping at Jantar Mantar for more than a month seeking accountability and reforms in the examination system.

The latest development comes at a crucial time as both sides prepare for another round of discussions aimed at resolving the prolonged standoff.

As of now, there has been no official announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office on whether Pradhan’s resignation has been accepted. Further details are awaited.

Resignation comes before key Centre-CJP meeting

The announcement was made only hours before representatives of the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party were expected to meet for the third round of negotiations.

The talks are being closely watched as the government attempts to end the month-long protest, with the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan remaining one of the protesters’ central demands.

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CJP says Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation non-negotiable ahead of third round of talks

CJP has hardened its stand before the third round of talks with the Centre, insisting that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation remains its primary and non-negotiable demand.

Published

13 hours ago

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July 25, 2026

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The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has reiterated that the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remains its top demand, just hours before the third round of discussions with the Centre on Saturday.

CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the organisation would see little purpose in continuing negotiations if the government was unwilling to remove the minister.

In a post on X, Ranka said Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation was “non-negotiable” and added that there was no point in holding further discussions if the government rejected the demand.

The third round of talks is scheduled for Saturday afternoon after Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh met CJP representatives for nearly two hours during the second round of discussions on Friday.

According to the CJP, it has placed three key demands before the Centre:

  • Resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
  • A guarantee that no legal action will be taken against protesting students.
  • Compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET paper leak.

During Friday’s meeting, the Centre agreed in principle to two of the demands — ensuring no legal action against protesting students and providing compensation. However, the demand for the Education Minister’s resignation remains unresolved.

Speaking after the meeting, JP Nadda said the protesters had also submitted five suggestions for reforms to the examination system. He said the government would hold internal discussions before responding during Saturday’s meeting.

Government sources, however, indicated that Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation is not under consideration. According to the sources, the government believes resignation is not the appropriate course of action and continues to back the minister.

Meanwhile, the Centre has announced several measures aimed at tackling examination paper leaks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the establishment of fast-track courts to hear paper leak cases, while the government is preparing amendments to strengthen the law with stricter punishments and higher fines.

The Centre has also replaced the Education Secretary and removed 47 officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA), while promising broader reforms within the examination body.

Responding to the action against NTA officials, Ashutosh Ranka said the move alone was insufficient. He maintained that accountability ultimately rests with the Education Minister and reiterated that Dharmendra Pradhan must resign.

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