Congress queers the pitch against the PM

“The Prime Minister stands unmasked… if these are what his feelings are then he should resign because as Prime Minister he has no right to make these statements,” Scindia told The Indian Express. The shift in the attack from the three chargesheeted ministers to the Prime Minister himself is significant. “This attitude is highly condemnable and unacceptable especially so as it comes from the Prime Minister… it is a contempt and denigration of the courts because the matter is still subjudice… he has to withdraw his statement and express his deepest regrets for violating national sentiment,” Scindia said.

Another indication that the Congress may consider a no-confidence motion is the flurry of meetings — as many as five since yesterday — its leaders have been having with the Left parties, the RJD and the AIADMK.

Party sources, however, said that a no-confidence was only the “last option” which the party along with its allies would consider if its demand for a discussion on the resignation of the three chargesheeted ministers in both houses was not met or the Government continued with its aggressive stance. A discussion under under rule 184 in the Lok Sabha and under rule 168 in the Rajya Sabha entails voting which is what the Congress wants, in a bid to “expose” the NDA allies.

A senior party leader said while many party MPs were in favour of taking the offensive against the NDA government to the “logical conclusion” there were others who were wary of such a step since a defeat of the motion could serve to further cement the NDA alliance.

As part of the ongoing stalemate, the Congress today moved formal notices for suspension of Question Hour in both houses to consider its demand for a discussion, notices for which have already been moved.