Curiosity in History | That One Vote!
#memoriesfromdiaries
17th April 1999
When a Chief Minister’s Vote in Parliament Unseated the Prime Minister!
Browsing through my past diary entries dating back to this particular day, I was surprised to see one particular entry – where a Chief Minister’s vote had unsettled and unseated the Prime Minister!
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| 16th April 1999 #memoriesfromdiaries |
A ‘Historic’ Curiosity it really was!
Parliament witnessed anxious moments and high drama on 16th & 17th April 1999 and almost the entire nation was glued to their TV sets, their Radio sets and their daily newspapers to get regular updates on the uncertainty and high drama in Parliament.
After the sudden decision of the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK govt in Tamil Nadu to withdraw support to the Government at the Centre, PM Vajpayee’s government had lost majority and had to face a no-confidence motion in Parliament on 17th April 1999.
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| 17th April 1999 #memoriesfromdiaries |
That’s when the Chief Minister of Orissa, Giridhar Gamang stole the limelight, with his single vote that brought down the government of the day, something that did not augur well with his people back in Orissa [now Odisha].
The eight-time MP, had taken his oath of office as Chief Minister of Orissa, in deference to the wishes of the Congress party high command.
A few months later, when there was an unexpected no-confidence motion moved against the BJP government, Giridhar voted against the government. The government lost power by just one vote (269–270). It was a sad day for Indian democracy to see one of India’s most charismatic leaders Vajpayee-ji losing the vote of confidence!
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| One of India’s Most Charismatic Leaders... |
If only Giridhar had abstained from voting, the Speaker Mr. Balayogi would have surely used his vote to save the government. The fall of the government had led to another round of fresh general elections in May 1999, causing yet another huge drain on the exchequer.
Interestingly, just two years earlier, in 1997, on this very same month [April 1997] the 11th PM of India, Deve Gowda’s government was defeated in like-fashion, on a no-confidence motion, after the Sitaram Kesri-led Congress withdrew its support.
Next post in line: ‘The Seshan Effect’ in General Elections – illustrious alumnus of MCC
Picture courtesy: BBC INDIA
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