(Image source from: India Today)
Following an incensed 12-hour discussion in Lok Sabha on Friday, the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government vanquished the no-confidence motion by 199 votes. While 126 members supported the motion, 325 Members of Parliament (MPs) rejected it.
The day-long session in the Lower House saw the government and the Opposition trade charges and a moment of drama when Indian National Congress president Rahul Gandhi, succeeding an intense address, walk over to Prime Minister and embrace him in a hug.
Terming the no-trust vote against his authority an outcome of the Opposition's "arrogance", Modi had earlier called on all parties to dismiss the move and accused the Congress of working with the mindset of 'Modi hatao' (remove Modi).
In response to the debate on the motion, he said some people are indulging in "negative politics." He besides took a dig at Rahul Gandhi for asking him to stand up for an embrace after walking over to his seat in the Lok Sabha, saying the Congress president seemed to be in haste to occupy his seat.
"Only the electorate of the country can decide his fate and make him sit on his chair," Modi said, before asking, "What is the hurry?" Gandhi was present in the House when the Prime Minister made the statement.
NDA has the confidence of the Lok Sabha and the 125 crore people of India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2018
I thank all the parties that have supported us in the vote today. Our efforts to transform India and fulfil the dreams of our youth continue. Jai Hind!
Friday's no-confidence motion, the 27th in Parliamentary history, was the first to be admitted in 15 years. The last was in 2003 when the Congress party moved a no-confidence motion against prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
By Sowmya Sangam
