Why BJP's Mizoram ally sided with Opposition on no-trust motion

The Mizo National Front (MNF), a partner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), on Thursday, backed the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against the government over the ethnic violence in Manipur.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi had moved the no-confidence motion on behalf of the Opposition against the government in the Lok Sabha. The Opposition parties had demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement on the Manipur issue.

C Lalrosanga, the lone MNF MP, voted against the government on Thursday. The motion was ultimately defeated through a voice vote as the Opposition staged a walkout from the House during PM Modi's reply to the no-confidence motion.

The MNF is a constituent of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in the region and a member of the NDA in the Centre.

Speaking to India Today, Lalrosanga said his party was not happy with the government's handling of the Manipur violence.

"They are not doing enough. They could not take the tribals into confidence. The Kukis, Zos and Mizos don’t have confidence in the state government," he said.

Lalrosanga said there was no trust in the Manipur government and added that trust has to be created.

He stated that the MNF is still a part of the NDA but said he did not agree with what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said of Manipur while replying to the no-confidence motion.

WHAT PM MODI SAID IN HIS REPLY TO NO-TRUST MOTION?

In his over 130-minute reply in Lok Sabha to the no-confidence brought by Opposition parties, PM Modi said the entire country was with the people of Manipur. He said those behind heinous and unforgivable crimes against women will be given stringent punishment.

The Prime Minister said the Centre and state governments were working together to restore peace in the ethnic violence-hit state soon.

Taking on the Congress, PM Modi blamed the politics of the grand old party as the root cause of problems plaguing Manipur and the entire Northeast, which he described as his 'jigar ka tukda' (piece of heart).

The fate of the Opposition's no-confidence motion was clear as the BJP-led NDA has the support of a majority of members in the Lok Sabha. The Opposition argued that they would win the battle of perception by cornering the government over the Manipur issue.

This was the second time that PM Modi faced a no-confidence motion.