The (Con)fidence Vote

The admission by a TV channel that they had indeed carried out a sting operation to record what transpired with the three Members of Parliament who have stated in the Lok Sabha that they were offered several crores to abstain from voting is sufficient prima facie evidence to warrant a credible and quick investigation into the charges of buying and selling votes in the trust vote.

In case, it is proven that gratification was received for voting or abstaining, it would not merely constitute an offence of bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act, but also a breach of privilege of Parliament. Recently, the membership of several MPs was terminated after an investigation by the Privileges Committee found that they had taken money for asking questions in Parliament. Obviously, taking money for voting or abstaining is a more serious breach of privilege.