No-confidence motion day 2: Rahul Gandhi starts debate
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi opened the debate on the no-confidence motion on day 2 on Wednesday. Gandhi began by apologizing for concentrating on Gautam Adani the previous time and thanked Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for reinstating him as a member of parliament. Then, in a veiled attack toward the government, he said, "Don't worry, won't speak on Adani today."
Why does this story matter?
A fiery session is expected in the House on Wednesday as Gandhi takes the podium. On the first day, the opposition tried to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) primarily over the Manipur issue. Although the BJP hit back at the Congress with platitudes about dynasty politics and corruption, it avoided addressing the situation in Manipur directly.
Gaurav Gogoi opened debate instead of Gandhi
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, who moved the no-confidence motion, opened the debate on Tuesday after Gandhi's name as the lead speaker was withdrawn at the last minute. Following this, BJP MP and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi took a dig at the Congress saying, "Why did they change the order? We are keen to hear him. What happened in 5 minutes?"
Gandhi backed out, said Gogoi should initiate: Congress's Manickam Tagore
"Rahul Gandhi himself declined to be the first speaker in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. He said Gaurav Gogoi is our leader from the northeast and he must initiate the discussion," Congress MP Manickam Tagore said. He added, "Rahul Gandhi is not someone who will eat the space of other leaders. He will definitely speak on the motion, only timing is the factor."
Gandhi didn't have confidence to speak: BJP's Sukanta Majumdar
On the other hand, BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar said, "Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not have the confidence to speak in the no-confidence motion yesterday... Perhaps today he will speak what his teacher has taught him." Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi hit back, saying, "If the PM is so confident, why wasn't he there on the first day of the discussion?"
Gandhi to address public rally in Rajasthan today
Later, Gandhi will address a public rally in Rajasthan on the occasion of World Tribal Day. The address will be his first since his parliament membership was restored and will also kick off the party's campaign for the state's Assembly election scheduled later this year. On Monday, the Supreme Court stayed his conviction in the 2019 defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark.
