Parliament Highlights: No-confidence motion defeated in Lok Sabha through voice vote

BRS MP K Keshava Rao says, "Everybody knew what was going to happen...We wanted a discussion on Manipur in Parliament...This is very unfortunate...This was not in good taste...You should not go so low when you criticise someone..."

On Opposition's walkout from Lok Sabha, Democratic Progressive Azad Party chief Ghulam Nabi Azad says, "Opposition parties came together for a no-confidence motion, but when it was time to vote, they walked out. Everyone knows that BJP has the majority but if they have to run then what is the point of calling a no-confidence motion. They have not done the right thing."

"For the first 90 minutes of his speech, not a word about Manipur. Within 30 seconds of INDIA alliance staging a walkout, then he speaks on Manipur for four minutes… Mr. Prime Minister I said last week you have a heart of stone…the Teflon coating has gone," says TMC MP Derek O'Brien.

“Those who moved the no-confidence motion didn't have confidence even in themselves,” Union minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday.

Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal says, "...The Congress leaders don't have the habit of apologising...Commenting on PM Modi was not right. Whatever happened (Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's suspension from the House), happened as per the rules..."

On Opposition's walkout from Lok Sabha, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi says, "Unfortunate that PM Modi didn't take responsibility for failure of the double-engine government in Manipur. So many women were raped in the tenure of the Manipur CM, the state was divided, 60,000 people became homeless, AK-47 is in the hands of common people. Despite making such an unsafe environment, he is not sacking his CM. He did not say when he will visit Manipur...Even today, they don't have a permanent solution, they don't have a roadmap that when will peace return to Manipur. The entire Manipur state is dissatisfied & sad with PM's words...That is why I.N.D.I.A. alliance walked out."

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "...I have not insulted PM Modi. Modi ji speaks on everything but on Manipur issue, he is sitting 'Nirav', which means sitting silent. 'Nirav' means to be silent. My intention was not to insult PM Modi... PM Modi did not feel that he was insulted, his courtiers (darbari) felt so and brought this proposal against me. I came to know that (the matter) has been referred to the privilege committee and I have been suspended..."

Union Minister Anupriya Patel says, "Our colleagues in the Opposition don't believe in democracy. They brought No Confidence Motion, kept forth their points and demanded Prime Minister's presence in the House. They demanded for him to make a statement but they had no patience to listen to the statement. The entire country saw that power and politics are supreme to them. If they don't have the patience to even listen to the PM's address, it is very unfortunate. By walking out, they have exposed themselves before the country."

"Opposition's behaviour today was completely irresponsible. They had moved the no-confidence motion, but they staged a walkout before the voting," says BJP leader Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

"PM Modi's speech in Lok Sabha today was enlightening, historic and inspiring. Besides, his reply to Rahul Gandhi was also epic," says BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad.

.

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, "BRS and our party had also given a no-confidence motion which was accepted by the Speaker. Today's speech of PM Modi was boring among all the speeches given by him in the last 9 years. We thought he would condemn those who are doing violence in Manipur, we thought he would condemn the Haryana government's demolition drive...but nothing is happening there. Mughal-e-Azam is running there..."

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, “I had to (walkout) because even today the PM remained 'Nirav' on the issue of Manipur. So, I thought what is the use of seeing the new 'Nirav Modi'. PM Modi says the whole country is with him but why is he afraid of Congress..."

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav says, “The reason behind the no-confidence motion was Manipur where several women were raped, children were killed and several other incidents but PM didn't say anything about Manipur and didn't stand with the people of Manipur & that's why the opposition staged a walkout.”

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi says, "Derek O'Brien's suspension process, AAP MP in Lok Sabha (Sushil Kumar Rinku)'s suspension and now Leader of Congress Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's suspension process - BJP has been creating obstructions for I.N.D.I.A. in putting forth its voice. But we will not step back, we will go ahead and work together. We will raise our voices for our rights and for the issues of the people. In the end, we will win."

On PM Modi's speech in the Lok Sabha, RJD MP Manoj Jha says, “We thought that PM Modi will speak on Manipur...But what did we see? Comments, jokes and Whatsapp talks... This was not expected from PM Modi...”

JD(U) MP Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh says, "Whatever PM Modi was speaking was a sign of his desperation and nervousness. He was expressing his nervousness due to the new alliance. He didn't say a word on the major issue of India that Manipur has been burning since May 3. We kept listening for 1 hour and 45 minutes but he didn't say a word about it. He kept talking about the new alliance..."

Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal says, "I had to walk out. There is no point in talking about 'Sabka Saath', everyone should realise this... What message was given to the women of Manipur? If they are with them then what steps have been taken to provide justice to them."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "Prime Minister gave a wonderful speech. I think he gave brief replies to all the questions that they (Opposition) raised...Opposition didn't follow the decorum of democracy."

On Oppsition's walkout from the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey says, "Congress's palm is stained in blood. It is the murderer of democracy, of public...They had no answer, what would they have done?"

Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 am on Friday.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury suspended from Lok Sabha

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "Well, the Opposition has listened for 1 hour 45 mins to a lot of insults and abuse. I think the Opposition showed more patience than many others might have done."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks on the northeast; says, "...On 5th March 1966, Congress had its Air Force attack the helpless citizens in Mizoram. Congress should answer if it was the Air Force of any other country. Were the people of Mizoram not the citizens of my country? Was their security not the responsibility of the Government of India?..."

Northeast is a part of our heart: PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi speaks on Manipur; says, "Both the state and central governments are doing everything possible to ensure that the accused get the strictest punishment. I want to assure the people that peace will be restored in Manipur in the coming time. I want to tell the people of Manipur including women and daughters of Manipur that the country is with you..."