Opposition forced to bring no-trust vote against government to break PM’s ‘maun vrat’ on Manipur: Congress’ Gogoi
The Hindu
Opposition MP Gogoi claims PM Modi's "vow of silence" on Manipur forced INDIA to bring no-confidence motion. He alleges govt created two Manipurs, one in hills and one in valley. He demands PM explain why he didn't go to Manipur, while Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister and MoS Home did. Gogoi wants PM to break his "vow of silence" and appeal for peace in Manipur.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on August 8 said the Opposition bloc INDIA was forced to bring the no-confidence motion against the government to break Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "vow of silence" on Manipur.
Initiating the debate on the motion in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Gogoi alleged that a government which talks about "one India has created two Manipurs— one living in hills and the other in the valley".
As the Lower House took up the motion moved by Mr. Gogoi, there were heated exchanges between the Opposition and treasury benches after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi wondered why Rahul Gandhi's name as lead speaker was withdrawn last minute.
Mr. Gogoi's response that should the remarks made by the Prime Minister in Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's chamber be revealed in the House evoked a sharp retort from Home Minister Amit Shah who said the member cannot make unsubstantiated claims about the PM.
Mr. Gogoi submitted his motion— 'This House expresses want of confidence in the Council of Ministers— before the House and then made his statement.
He said the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties were forced to bring the no-confidence motion as this was never about numbers but about justice for Manipur.
"Manipur demands justice. Martin Luther King Jr. had said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. If Manipur is burning, the whole of India is burning, if Manipur is divided, the country is divided. It was our demand that as the leader of the country, Prime Minister Modi should come to the House and speak about Manipur. However, he kept a 'aun vrat (vow of silence) that he will neither speak in the Lok Sabha nor in the Rajya Sabha," Gogoi said.