Congress to move no-confidence motion against Gujarat government in monsoon session

In a bid to build pressure on the Vijay Rupani government, the Opposition Congress gave a notice for moving a no-confidence motion against the government during the upcoming two-day monsoon session of the Assembly.

The ruling BJP has 99 MLAs in the 182-member House, and the Congress 76. There are three independent MLAs, two of Chhotu Vasava's BTP, and one of NCP. One seat in the House is vacant. In case of a vote on the motion, there is no real threat to the government, barring a highly unlikely scenario of heavy cross-voting by its MLAs.

Shailesh Parmar, deputy leader of the Congress Legislature Party, alleged that the nine-month-old BJP government had failed on all fronts.

"BJP has been in power in the state for last 22 years. Be it farmers' issues, groundnut procurement scam, high cost of education, providing jobs, or maintaining law & order, the government has failed on all fronts, and has lost people's confidence. The Congress party has filed the no-confidence motion as representative of the people," he said explaining the reasons behind the move.

The Assembly's secretary DM Patel confirmed that they had received the notice, and said it was under the consideration of Speaker Rajendra Trivedi. "The Speaker will decide whether to admit the notice or not. If admitted, a debate has to take place within a minimum of three days and maximum of seven days," Patel said, adding the motion is allowed if a minimum of 17 MLAs support it in the House, followed by discussion and voting.

The MLA from Danilimda constituency said notice for the motion had been served in time. "The notice has been given as per Rule 106 of the Gujarat Assembly Rules. The assembly will have three sittings during the two-day session – one sitting on September 18, and two on September 19," he said, adding "If the government believes in transparency, it should allow the discussion".

If the Congress's notice is admitted, it would be after almost two decades that the state government will face a no-confidence vote.

'A FAILURE'

Shailesh Parmar, deputy leader of the Congress Legislature Party, alleged that the nine-month-old BJP government had failed on all fronts.
Assembly’s secretary DM Patel confirmed they had received the notice, and said it was under the consideration of Speaker Rajendra Trivedi.

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