New Delhi, Aug 24: To ensure stability of governance in an era of coalition politics, the Law Commission in a radical proposal has suggested that if a government falls by a no-confidence vote, the Opposition leader automatically becomes the prime Minister and forms the new government. Basing the proposal on the German model, the Commission in its 170th report has suggested that a no-confidence motion moved by Opposition should be accompanied by a confidence motion reposing confidence in the Leader of the Opposition.
If the no-confidence motion is passed, it would automatically mean that the Lok Sabha reposes confidence in the opposition leader authorising him or her to form the next government without dissolution of the House and the resultant mid-term poll, Law Commission member N M Ghatate told.
He said the proposed system, which is in practice in Germany, has an inherent advantage over the present system where the MPs, in case of fall of a government, elect a leader to run the government to escape the eventuality of facing mid-term polls.
Ghatate said the system will fit into the spirit of our Constitution as it would not require any change or amendment of Constitution or any law as it would only require a change in Rule 198 of the rules of procedure and conduct of procedure in Lok Sabha.
Bureau Report