BRS MP on no-confidence motion: ‘Country needs to hear his (PM’s) view (on Manipur)… have tried all methods’

Excerpts:

You gave a notice for moving a no-confidence motion against the BJP government today. Why?

Rao: We have been raising our voice on several issues. I outlined them at the all-party meeting held on the eve of the session.

We are concerned about the situation in Manipur and feel the Prime Minister should make a statement. The country needs to hear his view. We have tried all methods. There are other issues too such as the border tensions with China, problems faced by farmers, the economic situation, price rise, and unemployment. I have been giving adjournment motion notices since the session began in an attempt to raise these issues. I flagged them in the Business Advisory Committee meeting as well (on July 20). We thought we should submit a notice for a no-confidence motion looking at this government’s track record and its failure on several fronts.

It was clear on Tuesday itself that the Opposition alliance was planning to give notice for a no-confidence motion. But only one notice could be accepted.

Rao: I informed the secretary general (of the Lok Sabha) about our party’s decision to give the notice. I filed a notice online and gave a physical copy. It seems the Congress notice was received at 9.20 am. My notices were received at 9.50 am and 10.10 am. The notice that is received first is accepted. So, my notice was neither rejected nor accepted.

But BRS members stood up in support of Congress member Gaurav Gogoi’s motion…

Rao: Yes. We supported them.

Is it not surprising given the bitter fight between the BRS and the Congress in Telangana?

Rao: Do not club the two. It is about the country. We are an independent political party and take independent positions. The name of my party is Bharat Rashtra Samithi. So, we have a national outlook. We are neither with the BJP nor the Congress. We take positions based on issues. We opposed the government on the farm Bills and supported them on the Jammu and Kashmir Bill (abrogation of Article 370). We have our own policies and priorities.

Will you vote against the government at the time of the no-confidence motion?

Rao: We will get the opportunity to discuss and raise issues while participating in the discussion. We will take a decision after that.

So, it is not clear now whether you will vote against or for the motion.

Rao: There is no point talking about it now. The main issue is the no-confidence motion. We will definitely talk about the government’s failures on the border situation with China and Pakistan, the economy, farmers’ issues, price rise, women’s issues, and unemployment. Let us see what the reply of the government is. That is also important. I cannot say yes or no right now.

You are supporting the AAP when it comes to the Bill replacing the ordinance on services in Delhi.

Rao: Yes. We have already issued a whip to our MPs to vote against the Bill. We see it as an encroachment on the rights of states.