No Confidence Motion 2023, History and Acceptance in Lok Sabha

No Confidence Motion: In a significant development, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accepted the no-confidence motion against the Government’s central government on 26th July, paving the way for a crucial discussion in the parliament. The motion was brought forth by Congress Party MP Gaurav Gogoi, amidst the ongoing protests by the Opposition demanding a statement from Prime Minister regarding the situation in Manipur. In this article, we give you brief details about No Confidence Motion and how No Confidence Motion works. This topic is also very important for UPSC exam aspirants.

What is a Motion?

On a matter of general public importance, no discussion can take place except on a motion that is made with the consent of the leader or presiding officer. The decisions or opinions on various issues are expressed by the House through the adoption or rejection of motions moved by either ministers or private members. The members moved the motion to boost discussions on several matters that fall under three principal categories namely Substantive Motion, Substitute Motion, and Subsidiary Motion. In simple words, we can state that it is any formal proposal made by a member for the purpose of eliciting a decision from the House. If it is adopted or voted then it amounts to express the will of the House.

What is a no-confidence motion?

In the section of the article, you can check the detailed overview of the No Confidence Motion.

• In a parliamentary democracy like India, the government can only remain in power if it commands a majority in the directly elected House, which is the Lok Sabha.
• The concept of a no-confidence motion is enshrined in Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution, which outlines that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
• To test this collective responsibility, the Lok Sabha provides a specific mechanism, a motion of no-confidence.
• Any Lok Sabha MP, with the support of at least 50 colleagues, can introduce a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers.
• The no-confidence motion triggers a discussion, during which MPs supporting the motion highlight the government’s perceived shortcomings.
• In response, the Treasury Benches address the raised issues.
• Finally, a vote takes place, and if the motion carries, the government is bound to vacate office.
• It is important to note that a no-confidence motion can only be moved in the Lok Sabha and not in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House)

History of No Confidence Motion

• The first motion of no confidence was moved in the third Lok Sabha in 1963 by Acharya J.B. Kripalani against the government headed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
• The debate on the motion lasted for 21 hours spread over four days, with 40 MPs participating.
• Since then, there have been 26 more no-confidence motions moved in the Indian Parliament (not including the latest one), with the last one being in 2018, moved by the TRS against the previous government.

Significance of No-Confidence Motion

• The “No Confidence Motion” is a crucial weapon in the Lok Sabha’s arsenal against the Council of Ministers (COM)
• The motion is approved if 51% of the house members vote in favor of it, at which point the government is judged to have lost the majority and is required to resign.
• The opposition may ask the government to demonstrate its majority after bringing a no-confidence motion or the government must introduce a vote of confidence to do so.
• The no-confidence motion is occasionally introduced by the opposition to compel the government to address crucial matters

Censure Motion vs No-Confidence Motion

The No Confidence Motion differs from the Censure motion in many ways such as –

What is the procedure to move a No Confidence Motion?

Against the Government, a motion of No-Confidence Motion can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha under rule 198. As discussed above it specifies the procedure for a motion of no-confidence.

There should be a minimum of 50 members to accept the motion. If not, then the motion fails. Before 10 am, any member may provide written notice. The motion of no-confidence is read by the Speaker within the House and asks all those favoring the motion to rise. If 50 MPS are there in favour then the Speaker could allot a date for discussing the motion. But this has to be done within 10 days.

Then, the motion is put to vote and can be conducted through Voice Vote, Division of Votes, or other means. It is said that if the government loses a confidence motion or if the no-confidence motion is accepted by the majority then the government has to resign.

What are the conditions related to a No Confidence motion?

It can be moved only in the Lok Sabha or state assembly as the case may be. It cannot be moved in the Rajya Sabha or state legislative council.

The no-confidence motion is moved against the entire Council of Ministers including the Prime Minister and not individual ministers or private members and it needs the support of at least 50 members when introduced in the Lok Sabha.

First No Confidence Motion

The Rules of Lok Sabha in 1952 provided that a no-confidence motion could be moved with the support of 30 MPs. Even then, not a single no-confidence motion was moved during the term of the first two Lok Sabhas.

During the third Lok Sabha in 1963, the first no-confidence motion was moved by Acharya JB Kriplani against the government headed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

No Confidence Motion in Hindi (अविश्वास प्रस्ताव क्या है?)

• भारत जैसे संसदीय लोकतंत्र में, सरकार केवल तभी सत्ता में बनी रह सकती है जब उसके पास सीधे निर्वाचित सदन (लोकसभा) में बहुमत हो।
• अविश्वास प्रस्ताव की अवधारणा भारतीय संविधान के अनुच्छेद 75(3) में निहित है, अनुच्छेद 75(3) के अनुसार मंत्रिपरिषद सामूहिक रूप से लोकसभा के प्रति जिम्मेदार है।
• इस सामूहिक जिम्मेदारी का परीक्षण करने के लिए, लोकसभा एक विशिष्ट तंत्र, अविश्वास प्रस्ताव प्रदान करती है।
• कोई भी लोकसभा सांसद, कम से कम 50 सहयोगियों के समर्थन से, मंत्रिपरिषद के खिलाफ अविश्वास प्रस्ताव पेश कर सकता है।
• अविश्वास प्रस्ताव एक चर्चा शुरू करता है, जिसके दौरान प्रस्ताव का समर्थन करने वाले सांसद सरकार की कथित कमियों को उजागर करते हैं।
• जवाब में, ट्रेजरी बेंच उठाए गए मुद्दों को संबोधित करते हैं।
• अंत में, एक मतदान होता है, और यदि प्रस्ताव पास हो जाता है, तो सरकार कार्यालय खाली करने के लिए बाध्य है।

No Confidence Motion Relevance for UPSC

• GS-2: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions, and basic structure

Conclusion on No Confidence Motion

The acceptance of the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha opens up the floor for a democratic discussion on the government’s actions and policies. While the ruling government, for now, may not be at risk due to its majority, such motions play an essential role in holding the government accountable and allowing the Opposition to voice their concerns. It is through these debates that the Parliament upholds its fundamental role in representing the diverse voices of the nation.

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