Speaker Accepts No-Confidence Motion Against Modi Gov't

Indian Lok Sabha (lower house) Speaker Om Birla approved a motion of no-confidence tabled by Indian National Congress (INC) lawmaker Gaurav Gogoi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government over violence in the state of Manipur.

• A flare-up in ethnic tensions in the northeastern state led to the death of around 130 people and the displacement of tens of thousands of others since May. The Prime Minister has only recently broke his month-long silence on the matter.
• The motion was supported by all parties affiliated with the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), a big tent bloc of 26 opposition parties led by the INC.
• While the motion's failure is all but assured, as Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha, the opposition wants to force the government to address the issue and defend its record.
• Lok Sabha Speaker said that he "will have a discussion with all parties and according to the rules, will inform about the schedule for discussion." India is not due to hold a general election until 2024.