Although the AIADMK has indicated that it will oppose the no-confidence motion moved against the NDA government, other reports suggest that the party is divided on the matter.
If all the 37 MPs of the regional party end up voting against the motion, it will drastically change the numbers in the house in the government’s favour.
Two parties – the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Shiv Sena – have already decided to boycott the ongoing no-confidence motion in Parliament. There are 533 members in the Lok Sabha (excluding the Speaker) at present, but its effective strength will come down to 496 if 19 MPs of the BJD and 18 of the Shiv Sena do not participate in the voting process.
This means that the current halfway mark, at 1.15 pm, stands at 249 seats. The two-thirds mark is 330.
The National Democratic Alliance began the day with 312 votes. However, its strength came down to 294 members after the Shiv Sena walked out. If the AIADMK’s 37 MPs back the government, its strength will go up to 331 seats.
While the final outcome will remain contingent on whether each MP from the NDA umbrella as well as the AIADMK votes for the government, the current configuration suggests that the government’s aim of securing two-thirds majority in the house during voting lies within the realm of possibility. Chennai could hold the key to the magnitude of the BJP’s victory.
{{/usCountry}}While the final outcome will remain contingent on whether each MP from the NDA umbrella as well as the AIADMK votes for the government, the current configuration suggests that the government’s aim of securing two-thirds majority in the house during voting lies within the realm of possibility. Chennai could hold the key to the magnitude of the BJP’s victory.
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