No-trust move back on table

Both are demanding special category status for Andhra Pradesh, following its June 2014 bifurcation, which would entitle the state to special central grants and other incentives.

The Congress’s decision to join the fray makes it a bigger battle against the Bjp-led government as other parties like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party are expected to support the party.

The NDA held a separate meeting to discuss its floor strategy.

The second half of the Budget session was washed out as TDP and YRSCP moved notices of no-confidence almost on a daily basis, but they could not be taken up for debate. The Opposition accused the BJP of prompting the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam,tamil Nadu’s ruling party, to persist with its own demands, leading to chaos and adjournments.

According to the rules, a notice of no-confidence motion can be moved only in the Lok Sabha with support of at least 50 MPS. The Speaker can allow debate if the House is in order; at the end, voting takes places. Parties have the right to serve fresh notices if the previous one is not taken up due to adjournments and disruptions.

In 2003, the Congress had moved a no-confidence motion against the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, but it was defeated by a big margin. Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the party would raise issues such as women’s safety, perceived dilution of the scheduled castes/ scheduled tribes act, Governor’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir, and the unfulfilled demand for special status to Andhra Pradesh.

The Congress, which was wiped out in Andhra Pradesh in the last Lok Sabha polls, hopes that its support for a special package will help it regain ground in the state. Andhra Pradesh assembly elections are slated to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls next year.