New Delhi, July 18: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday admitted the no-confidence motion moved against the Centre by a slew of Opposition parties led by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), along with the Congress, NCP, Samajwadi Party, TMC and others.

The motion, submitted under 'Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Lok Sabha', has been scheduled to be taken up for discussion on Friday. The Speaker was duty-bound to allot a date for discussion as the motion had over 50 signatories. Explained: What is a No-Confidence Motion & How Does a Vote of No Confidence Work?

Will the No Confidence Motion Sail Through Against Modi Govt? Here's How the Numbers are Stacked Up

The motion, to be successful, requires the vote of more than half the lawmakers when it will be taken up for discussion on Friday.

At present, the effective strength of the Lower House has been reduced to 535 -- down from 545 when the 16th Lok Sabha was elected -- due to deaths and resignations of some members of Parliament.

Among the 535 lawmakers, BJP is five notch above the majority mark, with 273 MPs. Besides, the ruling party is supported by 11 coalition parties which adds up total of NDA in the Lok Sabha to 312.

With 312 MPs, the NDA is well above the halfway mark of 268 in the 535-member House.

Despite lacking the numbers, Congress' parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi said she is "not worried". Pundits claim her response indicates that the primary agenda of moving the no-confidence motion is to galvanise the anti-BJP parties and test the Opposition unity ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2018 05:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).