New Delhi: The govt had to face embarrassment in the Rajya Sabha today after the house adopted Motion of Thanks on President's address with an amendment moved by CPM leader Sitaram Yechury.
Normally, the Motion of Thanks on President's Address is passed without members insisting for division on amendments moved.
Yechury, miffed over Modi targeting left front govt in west Bengal during his rely to Motion of Thanks, refused to withdraw his amendment and insisted on division.
In one sense, it was Yechury's way of taking revenge as he was well aware of govt's lack of majority in the upper house. Even the Congress decided to put its lot behind Yechury's amendment.
The Chairperson Hanid Ansari was left with no option than to order division. As was expected, the motion was passed with 117 members in favour and 57 against it.
This is for the fourth time that Motion of Thanks on President's Address has been adopted with amendment in Rajya Sabha.
Before this, on three occasions, Motion of Thanks on President's Address was adopted by Rajya Sabha with amendments.
The Motion of Thanks with an amendment was adopted for the first time on 30 January 1980.
On 29 December 1989, the Motion of Thanks was adopted with six amendments.
Again on 12 March 2001, the Motion of Thanks was adopted with an amendment.
