Confidence Motion / No-Confidence Motion
Context:
Recently, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, successfully passed a confidence motion in the 117-member State Assembly, where it holds an overwhelming majority of 94 MLAs.
Understanding Confidence and No-Confidence Motions:
Confidence Motion:
Also known as a trust vote, this is moved by the government itself as an ordinary motion to prove its majority on the floor of the House, often as a counter to opposition pressure.
Constitutional Basis for NCM:
The Indian Constitution does not explicitly mention the term "no-confidence".
However, Article 75 mandates that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People.
Lok Sabha Rules:
Empowered by Article 118, the Lok Sabha formulated Rule 198, which dictates the procedure for a No-Confidence Motion (NCM).
Crucially, an NCM can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
Additionally, an amendment passed to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in the Lok Sabha is also treated as a vote of no-confidence against the government.
Admission & Process:
An NCM is typically moved by the Opposition to force the ruling government to prove its majority.
The notice must be submitted before 10 am and requires the support of at least 50 Loksabha MPs to be admitted by the Speaker.
The ensuing debate allows MPs to discuss the government's performance, culminating in a floor vote within 10 days of the notice.
Outcomes & Anti-Defection Reality:
If a majority votes in favor of the motion, the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers are obliged to resign.
However, due to the Anti-defection law, if a ruling party holds an absolute majority and issues a whip, passing an NCM becomes virtually impossible, reducing the exercise to a symbolic debate.
The first-ever NCM in India was moved in August 1963 by Acharya J.B. Kripalani against Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, following the India-China War.