Back in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi likely to open debate on no-trust motion on Tuesday

The Lok Sabha is set to witness a fierce debate on the no-confidence motion against the BJP-led government on Tuesday with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, whose membership was restored following a Supreme Court direction, likely to be the chief speaker of opposition bloc INDIA. Congress’ deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi’s motion of no-confidence has been listed as agenda item three in the List of Business and takes place under the shadow of the ethnic violence in Manipur, which has led to repeated disruptions in both the Houses of Parliament this session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reply to the debate on Thursday. The numbers are comfortably stacked in favour of the government and the Opposition is expected to utilise the opportunity to demonstrate its newly firmed up unity to take on the Modi-led BJP in the Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year. “Definitely, he will speak (zaroor bolenge),” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters when asked whether Gandhi will speak during the no-trust motion on Tuesday. Political observers believe that the Opposition had given a platform to the Prime Minister, who is known for his oratorical skills, to forcefully make his point during the reply to the debate on the no-trust motion. Gandhi returned to a rousing welcome in Parliament on Monday afternoon soon after the Lok Sabha revoked his disqualification as member after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction in a defamation case in which he was awarded a maximum two-year sentence. The maximum jail term to Gandhi had triggered provisions of the Representation of the People Act leading to his automatic disqualification from the Lok Sabha on March 24. Gandhi had approached the Supreme Court after he failed to get relief from the Gujarat High Court. The Monsoon Session of Parliament has witnessed repeated disruptions over the issue of ethnic violence in Manipur and the Opposition insisting on a statement from the Prime Minister in the House. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has told Parliament that he was ready to respond to any debate on Manipur, an offer the Opposition had rejected. The BJP is expected to raise the issue of electoral violence in West Bengal and incidents of atrocities against women in Rajasthan.