This is an archive article published on July 21, 2018
No-confidence motion: Very clear Modi govt now on back foot, says Jyotiraditya Scindia
Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha Jyotiraditya Scindia spoke to The Indian Express. minutes after the daylong debate and voting on no-confidence concluded in Lok Sabha. Excerpts:
Congress Leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. (Express file photo by Tashi Tobgyal)
Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha Jyotiraditya Scindia spoke to MANOJ C.G. minutes after the daylong debate and voting on no-confidence concluded in Lok Sabha. Excerpts:
The Prime Minister spoke for over 90 minutes. It was an all-out attack on the Congress.
It was high on drama and very low on content. He could not answer any of the questions that had been put forward by the opposition parties. It was very clear, and it is very clear that this government is now on the back foot.
The Congress had said the debate on no-confidence motion will be the launch of its 2019 campaign. Has the party been able to pin down the government?
That is for you to judge. I don’t think it is fair of us to judge. But I think Rahul Gandhi’s speech has been inspirational and he has very clearly put the government on the mat – they did not have answers to any of the questions.
Modi had a message for non-Congress opposition parties: that if you go with the Congress, you will also sink.
I think everything will become clearer to the Prime Minister closer to the elections. I think rather than undermining the Opposition — which is what he traditionally does — he should look at his own party’s prospects. The Opposition will do its own job of raising the voice of the people. We believe that we are the fiduciary responsibility-holders of the voice of the downtrodden, the women, the farmers, the unemployed youth. And that is the voice that we have continuously raised against this government, which has trampled constitutional and democratic processes.
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At the end, Opposition had 126 votes. Were you expecting more support from parties such as BJD?
This no-confidence motion is not just about votes that you get in the House. It is the place where you win hearts by raising issues of the people. I think the government is left completely stumped by Rahul Gandhi’s very frontal attack, and it was left answer-less.
Why did Rahul Gandhi go and embrace the PM? Did it surprise you, and others in the party?
He displayed the Congress ideology and the Congress spirit, which is, “aap aur hum mein matbhed ho sakte hain, lekin manbhed nehi hai. We can have a difference of opinion but there is not a spirit of negativity or hatred —- like the BJP carries towards Opposition members. That is the true spirit of democracy.
Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape.
Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis.
The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage.
Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting.
Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics.
National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections.
Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum.
Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital.
Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief.
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Congress Leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. (Express file photo by Tashi Tobgyal)
