1. Stage set for 2019 election as Modi govt wins no-confidence test in Parliament on day of hug, wink, debate 2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took on the Congress on Friday evening before winning the no-confidence vote with nearly three-fourths of a majority after a day-long debate in Parliament.

Opinion
     23/07/2018     
                1325.

Sub :-

1. Stage set for 2019 election as Modi govt wins no-confidence test in Parliament on day of hug, wink, debate

2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took on the Congress on Friday evening before winning the no-confidence vote with nearly three-fourths of a majority after a day-long debate in Parliament.

*Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Lok Sabha during the no-confidence motion in Parliament, in New Delhi on Friday.(PTI)

The NDA government cruised to an over a two-thirds (at 72%, close to three-fourths) majority in the house, decisively defeating a no-confidence motion, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the stage for the 2019 elections.

Modi strongly defended his government’s record on welfare and economy; launched a blistering critique of Congress’ politics and its treatment of ‘grassroots leaders’, sharply rebutted an earlier speech by Congress president Rahul Gandhi; reiterated his commitment to the development of Andhra Pradesh; and challenged the opposition to bring a no-confidence motion in 2024.

Modi’s speech, late on Friday night, came after a day of intense debate in the house. While the Telugu Desam Party had filed a no-confidence motion against the government, a range of opposition parties, used the opportunity to target the National Democratic Alliance on its record — as NDA allies and leaders defended it.

Gandhi’s speech earlier in the day captured attention with its aggressive tone and, of course, the climax, when he hugged the Prime Minister.

But the numbers told their own story: the government secured 325 votes of 451 members present and voting in the house, beating its own target of a two-thirds win.

The Prime Minister’s political attack was primarily reserved for the Congress.

Playing on the word trust, Modi spoke of how Congress had little faith in itself.

“They don’t have faith in the Chief Justice, Reserve Bank of India, institutions which provide economic indicators, in the power of the Indian passport, in the Election Commission, EVMs. And that is because they don’t have faith in themselves. This is because some people have a strong sense of entitlement and have lost out.”

The Prime Minister also took on Gandhi, who had, in the course of his speech said that Modi did not look him in the eye, and used it as a peg to attack Congress’ treatment of its own leaders and allies.

“It was said the PM cannot look me in the eye. Who are we? Who can look you in the eye? I am from a poor background, from a backward caste, from a village... history is witness. When Sardar Patel looked in the eye, when Subash Bose looked in the eye, when Morarji Desai did it, when JP Narayan, Charan Singh, Chandrashekhar, Pranab Mukherjee or even Sharad Pawar looked in the eye, see what happened.”

The names were a reference to those who the BJP believes have directly taken on the Nehru-Gandhi family, and suffered for it.

Modi also targeted the coalition-in-the-making to take him on in 2019, pointing out that the Congress has a track record of betraying allies, as it had done in 1979, 1991, and 1997 leading to short-lived governments and creating instability.

Modi then spoke of the hug that Gandhi gave him earlier in the day.

The Congress leader had urged him to stand up at the time. “Those who are desperate to come here came and said, get up, get up. No one can make you sit here or get up. Only the 125 crore people of India can do it.”

Rebutting Gandhi’s allegations of wrongdoing in the Rafale deal, Modi said, “I can’t imagine truth being twisted like this on issues related to National security. On a statement made here, two governments had to issue a condemnation. I want to assure the country that the deal is between two governments, and is fully transparent.”

A second key theme of the PM’s speech was the government’s policy record, coupled with questions on the track record of past governments.

“Electricity reached 18,000 villages...32 crore bank accounts were opened...4.5 crore women got a new way of living with LPG cylinders… we constructed eight crore toilets for women... Ayushman Bharat will give an assurance of ? 5 lakh for medical care... we will double farmer incomes by 2022.”

Modi also spoke of how with the use of technology, the government had saved 90,000 crores which would have otherwise got misappropriated. He highlighted improvements in the ease of doing business rankings, the innovation index, and the competitiveness index, and defended his record on job creation through multiple sectors.

The PM provided a detailed policy explanation on the banking crisis, explicitly blaming the UPA government’s actions between 2008 and 2014 of arbitrarily giving loans and ‘looting banks. He claimed that his government had recognised, and addressed the problem but called it a ‘landmine’.

On the issue that led to the no-confidence vote, Modi once again accused the Congress of mismanaging the division of Andhra Pradesh. He alleged that Chandrababu Naidu had, due to competitive politics with YSR CP, withdrawn from the NDA government despite having accepted a special assistance plan, and claimed that the 14th Finance Commission did not allow the Centre to give the special category status that was being demanded. “But our commitment to the development and hopes and aspirations of Andhra stays.”

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi termed the PM’s speech an ‘old, broken record’.

NOTE :- Will the grand alliance defeat BJP in the 2019 general elections?
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1. The grand alliance of wolves with vultures, is still in talks. They met, they assured each other of the support, partied and dispersed.

2. They are yet to decide : 1. Their PM candidate, and 2. Seat sharing formula

3. Congress will push allies to agree on Rahul as their PM candidate and demand maximum seat share. I doubt allies will agree on that. SP and BSP are romancing with each other lately and may have their secret understanding and agenda. They will support each other when they meet to form the GA.

4. Congress will be reminded of their fiasco in past assembly elections to highlight Rahul’s failure as a leader, to push them back and to make them tone down their demands. If Congress fails to get majority in Karnataka, it will further put them in a tight spot.

5. Sharad Pawar’s NCP has weakened in Maharashtra and cannot make any significant difference except in few pockets. Shiv Sena will not risk its reputation by joining GA. Though they may eat up BJP votes by going solo and help GA to some extent. But in every likelihood, they may re-align with BJP to form a government in the center.

6. Laloo is in the Jail and after having convicted in numerous scams, his popularity has suffered a big blow. He cannot bring any ammo with him in GA. On the other hand, Nitish has established himself as a progressive and development friendly CM.

7. Congress has virtually no hope from Bengal so even if they have GA there, it won’t make any difference. GA will not be effective in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Himachal, Goa and Uttaranchal where none of the GA parties have any significant vote share.

8. The only state where GA seems to hold some ground is UP. BJP IF may not be able to repeat the 2014 show, But it may make up for the losses by good show in North East and South.

9. I believe the GA will agree to not declare their PM candidate. Congress may give up its share where regional parties are in commanding position.

10. I don’t know if you’ll agree, but I find their ( congress+grand-alliance!!! ) prospects very bleak.

2.

11. For all those who are supporting Shashi Tharoor. Let me tell you about some facts which a lot of people do not know. He is giving interviews in many western media outlets which no one comes across.

12. I was also a great supporter of Mr. Shashi Tharoor. But unfortunately he has turned out to be a left liberal hypocrite.

13. Shashi Tharoor gave this statement to a prominent western news outlet 'The Gaurdian’ defaming India and calling it intolerant. I do not see any such intolerance. Do you ?

14. He is also sympathetic to the cause of Rohingya, who have suspected links with terrorism. He may want not deport them back to Myanmar, as Prime Minister.

15. Do you want another Kashmir ?

16. His excellent English speaking skills has cast a spell on our colonial minds.

17. In short, Mr Shashi Tharoor is a white washed pseudo-liberal Communist. He is a Hyena disguised as a noble Lion King who speaks well-oiled English.

18. Now, do you still want him as PM of India ?

3.

19. But why is there a need for grand alliance. There is only one reason for it:

20. Each party knows that they can’t defeat BJP single-handedly. It looks like a communist sort of a situation.

21. But to be honest, the kind of wave Modi is riding on, it’s hard to imagine his defeat in 2019 elections. He has garnered the support from people like no other leader did except Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee who again was a BJP leader.

4.

22. But the question is that will such alliance be formed ?

1.Will Left and TMC fight election together in West Bengal ?

2.Will there be any alliance between Left Front and Congress led UDF in Kerala ?

3.Will TRS and Congress become ally in Telangana ? Will Congress ally with INLD in Haryana ?

4.Will Congress give some seats to allies in states where it is strong ? Will Congress accommodate BSP in Madhya Pardesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat etc. ?

5.Will Congress be ready to fight election on 5–7 LS seats as junior partner in SP-BSP alliance in UP ?

6.Will Congress ally with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, AIMIM in Hyderabad region, AIUDF in Assam ?
7.who will lead the grand alliance ?

23. Let us think everything in grand alliance is settled. Will voters accept such alliance against Modi ? Will party workers accept the alliance ? Will parties be able to transfer their votes. If you are not a party like BSP, then it would be difficult to transfer 100% votes.

24. A grand alliance will make the contest Modi v/s others.  Modi can do BETTER in 2019. The battle would be even in 2019 as BJP will not give up easily and it would be an existential fight for Congress +ITS ALLIES A GRAND ALLIANCE OF DEMONS

OPINION -

1. All other MahaGathBandhan happened before were against corruption and nepotism but all major non-BJP options are CORRUPTION HEADS & FAMILY ORIENTED SINLE LEADER PARTIES

2. These alliances were area specific ,no leader have pan-India approach even today neither nitish nor mamta have pan-India appeal where as Modi is vote puller at every booth.

3. Lack of Mass and stable leadership and constant competition between leaders always ruined this alliance .

4.These alliances have ruled india for 6 yrs under 6 different Prime ministers and most of them became PM after INC supported them like Chander shekar.

5. The vote bank play a major role ,like in UP BSP-SP vote bank have conflicting nature, same is with Left front and UDF in Kerala .

6. The constituents of All other MahaGathBandhan prior to 2019 had a clear distinction between their area of emphasises .

7. Rahul have to play second fiddle of regional heavy weight like Nitish or Mamta .According to me INC will do that because this will give them breathing space .

8. Given the un stable history of these alliance ,INC could revive itself on the vote share of its regional partner ,it will eat its alliance partner .

9. Communist are weak and no where so the conflict between left and mamta wont be a problem ,Nitish is universal leader of Non-BJP polity in North India.

10. But south India Lack any strong face .Modi is way stronger than any other leader in South,Modi can get votes in Karnataka,Kerala,Tamil Nadu.

CONCLUSION :

1. 2019 will see a pre-poll allianceALL DEMONS OF BHARATHAM ,MODIJI will repeat HIS feet again in 2019.

2. INC can get some breathing space on the Votes of its allies but INC could not revive itself unless they throw Gandhi's away.

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