The Week Ahead is going to be a political potboiler for sure. With Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the 'Modi surname' defamation case and the no-trust motion scheduled to be debated in Lok Sabha, Parliament's Monsoon session is headed for a heated finish. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, to replace the Delhi services ordinance will also be a major flashpoint in the Rajya Sabha.
Stay with ABP Live as we try to cut the clutter around the latest news from the political arena and help you understand what is likely to happen in The Week Ahead. Here are the biggest political developments expected to play out this week.
Not 'Will' But 'When'? Suspense Over Rahul Gandhi's Return To Lok Sabha
The Supreme Court last week paved the way for Rahul Gandhi's return as an MP to the Lok Sabha by staying his conviction in the 2019 'Modi surname' defamation case. Immediately after the Supreme Court's order, the Congress cleared the air about Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership, saying that he is sure to return as an MP. However, the Lok Sabha secretariat is yet to issue a formal clearance for Rahul Gandhi's entry into the Parliament.
The United Opposition block, INDIA, is now demanding a quick return for the Congress leader to the Lok Sabha. India constituents, such as the DMK, the TMC, and the Shiv Sena are among the Opposition parties that are pushing Speaker Om Birla to facilitate Rahul Gandhi's return to Lok Sabha on Monday, August 7.
The Congress said that the Lok Sabha was quick to scrap Rahul Gandhi's membership as soon as a Gujarat sessions court pronounced him guilty and removed him from the House in 24 hours. But to reinstate him, it was taking a long time.
Rahul Gandhi's return to the Lok Sabha will surely infuse new vigour within the Congress, the largest Opposition party in Lok Sabha, and the INDIA bloc. It remains to be seen whether Rahul Gandhi is cleared to return on Monday or if he will join the Opposition in voicing dissent against the government during the no-trust debate over the next three days.
No-Confidence Motion To Be Taken Up For Discussion
The Lok Sabha will debate the no-confidence motion, starting Tuesday, moved by the Congress and the BRS. last month over the BJP-led Centre's alleged apathy over the Manipur violence. The business advisory committee of the Lok Sabha has stipulated 12 hours for discussion on the no-trust motion and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reply to the debate on Thursday.
If Rahul Gandhi's suspension is revoked by Tuesday or Wednesday, he will be the key speaker for the Congress in the debate. The AAP, one of the signatories of the motion, will not be a part of the debate as its lone Lok Sabha MP, Sushil Kumar Rinku, has been suspended for the rest of the monsoon session.
The government is sure to win the vote of no confidence as it has the numbers. However, this is the united Opposition's first move against the government, and the INDIA bloc, too, can pat itself on the back if it can finally force Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak on the Manipur crisis and the failure of the BJP government in the state to bring peace in the state in his reply.
PM Modi has so far avoided putting out any comment on the Manipur violence. The BJP, too, has only agreed to a statement by Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue, but not by PM Modi.
Discussion On Manipur Violence In Parliament
Parliament's monsoon session has been hit due to disruptions over the Manipur issue. While the Opposition had been steadfast in its demand that PM Modi deliver a statement on the crisis, the government was adamant about not bringing him into the picture. The Centre agreed to only a statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
However, last week, the Opposition came up with a solution that it called a "middle path". It suggested a discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 167 of the Lok Sabha, which allows for a discussion and a reply by the minister concerned, followed by a statement by the mover of the motion and finally, a vote.
The Centre has also turned down the Opposition's request for the "middle path" of enforcing Rule 167. It said that the earliest a discussion can place is on August 11, the last day of the Parliament under Rule 176, which allows for a short duration discussion (usually of 2.5 hours).
Stay tuned to ABP Live as we track the updates on these stories and more.
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