The government led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerged victorious in a no-confidence motion held in parliament on Thursday. The premier delivered a passionate speech during the three-day debate and criticized opposition lawmakers who walked out of the chamber, resulting in the government winning the vote.
The motion was brought by the opposition due to months of ethnic violence in Manipur state. Among those who walked out were Congress party leader, Rahul Gandhi, who had previously accused Modi’s government of causing chaos in the country. Responding to the walkouts, Modi admonished them, expressing that those who lack faith in democracy are always quick to criticize without the patience to listen to the rebuttal.
Modi added, to the delight of his supporters, that these individuals are known to speak ill, spread lies, and then run away. He remarked that the country cannot expect much from such individuals and labeled it as their game.
Ahead of the vote, the government dismissed the no-confidence motion as a headline-grabbing gimmick in anticipation of next year’s general election. Modi’s Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds a significant majority in the lower house of parliament and is widely expected to secure a third term in power.
The party’s appeals to India’s Hindu majority have proven successful, propelling Modi to secure two landslide victories over Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. Modi humorously commented on the Congress party’s repeated failed attempts by stating that they continue to launch the same unappealing product, which consistently fails upon launch.
Rahul Gandhi, 53, is the scion of three former Indian prime ministers. He took the lead in attacking the government during Wednesday’s parliamentary session, criticizing Modi’s inaction regarding the violent events in Manipur. Gandhi accused Modi of “killing Mother India” in his address to lawmakers.
Gandhi’s return to parliament on Monday followed the suspension of his defamation conviction by the Supreme Court. He had been sentenced to two years in prison in March, a case widely criticized as an attempt to stifle political opposition in the world’s largest democracy.
Modi’s party has been consistently accused by political opponents and human rights organizations of promoting religious divisions for political gains. Since May, at least 152 people have lost their lives in Manipur due to armed clashes between the Hindu Meitei majority and the Christian Kuki community.
The state has become deeply fragmented along ethnic lines, with rival militias erecting blockades to keep out members of the opposing group. Modi expressed his sadness over the violence on Thursday and reassured that peace will prevail in Manipur.
To control the situation, tens of thousands of additional soldiers have been deployed from other areas, and a curfew and internet shutdown are still in effect throughout Manipur. Human Rights Watch has accused BJP-led state authorities of exacerbating the conflict through divisive policies that promote Hindu majoritarianism.
Modi faced severe criticism from opponents for his delayed response of over two months before addressing the conflict. He finally spoke up in July after the release of a disturbing video showing a mob parading two Kuki women naked, expressing his pain and anger over the incident.
With the successful defeat of the no-confidence motion, Modi’s government continues to lead the nation, while critics and analysts anticipate the upcoming general election, where the BJP aims to secure another term in power.