What is this ''vote of confidence'' all about??

Question

I've heard the news recently, and everywhere there is something concerned with Manmohan Singh's govt and some UPA... Can someone please explain whats going on???

Answer 1

Motion of Confidence

A Motion of Confidence is a motion of support proposed by a government in a parliament or other assembly of elected representatives to give members of parliament (or other such assembly) a chance to register their confidence in a government. The motion is passed or rejected by means of a parliamentary vote (a Vote of Confidence). Governments often propose a Motion of Confidence to replace a Motion of No Confidence proposed by the opposition.

Defeat of a Motion of Confidence in a parliamentary democracy generally requires one of two actions:

the resignation of the government, or

a request for a parliamentary dissolution and the calling of a General Election.

Where a Motion of Confidence has been defeated (or a motion of no confidence passed), a head of state is often constitutionally empowered (should they wish) to refuse a parliamentary dissolution if one is requested, forcing the government back to the resignation option.

A Motion of Confidence may be proposed in the government collectively or in any member thereof, including the prime minister. In Germany, a Motion of Confidence is sometimes added as an amendment to another piece of legislation.

A Motion of Confidence may also be used tactically to humiliate critics of a government (often from the inside of the governing party or parties) who nevertheless dare not vote against the government. By forcing them to vote for the government notwithstanding their public criticism, the proposer of the motion may hope to silence or embarrass critics. It may also be used to unite a divided party or government by creating a sense of 'one for all, all for one' loyalty, bonding a divided government together against the opposition.

However, tactical Motions of Confidence are dangerous, as they may backfire catastrophically against those who use them, if they have misjudged the willingness of their opponents to call the proposer's bluff and vote against the motion.

All the best :)

Answer 2

What Amit said!

Answer 3

In addition to Amit detail may i add further that live debate is going on wherein our representatives MP putting on allegations and counter allegations on the performance of the Govt. They are not talking about the Deal,why it is required ? what are the merits and demerits of the deals? Either tomorrow or day after the motion would be put up for Vote and UPA Govt shall win the same by about 274 votes because of bribery to the our Hon'ble Mp's

Answer 4

There are 543 memebers of Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha). The ruling party needs to have more than 50% of these in its favour i.e. at least 272.

Left (CPI(M) etc.) were supporting the government till now. They have withdrwan the support because of the nuclear deal. There are differences between the governement and them regarding this.

Governement has to prove the support of 272 MPs tomorrow. Otherwise, the govt. will come down and there would be elections.

Answer 5

The present UPA Government in power has been put to a test by group of Members in the Parliament to show their majority after the Communist Party has withdrawn the earlier support.

The present govt. has now to establish that they hold majority seats in the parliament I.e. 271 minimum, and for which a trust vote is scheduled to be conducted in the Parliament on 22nd July 2008 at about 6.00pm

This is to prove that the present ruling govt. holds majority seats to retain the power to govern.

A parliamentary process required to be undertaken when challanged by the opposition members.