Politics
Abhay Rathore
Aug 10, 2023, 06:56 PM | Updated 08:18 PM IST
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After heated arguments in the Lok Sabha between the Opposition INDIA bloc and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), today marked the conclusion of the three-day debate on the no-confidence motion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the House.
Here are the top highlights from his speech -
1. No Confidence Motion is auspicious for us
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his address by remarking that the No Confidence motion has been auspicious and a blessing in disguise for the ruling dispensation.
Modi stated, "God is very kind and speaks through some medium... I believe that it's the blessing of God that the opposition has brought this motion. I had said during the no-confidence motion in 2018 that it was not a floor test for us but a floor test for them, and as a result, they lost in the elections..."
2. Opposition not interested in crucial bills
PM Narendra Modi accused the Opposition of not engaging in healthy dialogue in parliament and not paying proper attention to the crucial bills pending in parliament.
3. Takes a dig at Adhir Ranjan Choudhary
PM Modi satirically stated, "A few things in this No Confidence Motion are so strange that they were never heard or seen before, not even imagined... The name of the Leader of the largest Opposition party was not among the speakers... This time, what has become of Adhir ji? His party didn't give him the opportunity to speak... It was your generosity that you allowed him to speak today even when their time slot had concluded. Lekin gud ka gobar kaise karna usmein ye mahir hain... I don't know what your compulsion is, why has Adhir babu been sidelined? Maybe there was a phone call from Kolkata. Congress insults him again & again... Hum Adhir babu ke prati apni poori samvedna vyakt karte hain..."
4. Crucial period in the nation's history
The Prime Minister highlighted that the present time period was crucial and a turning point in India's history and should not be wasted by politicization.
5. Use of cricketing metaphor to mock Opposition
The Prime Minister used a cricket metaphor to drive home the point regarding the Opposition's dismal performance in the discussion.
6. Whomever the opposition wishes bad, they turn good
PM Narendra Modi says, "Vipaksh ke logon ko ek secret vardaan mila hua hai ki jiska bhi yeh log bura chahenge uska bhala hi hoga.' One such example is standing before you. '20 saal ho gaye kya kuch nahi hua par bhala hi hota gaya..."
The Prime Minister exemplified the trio of the Banking Sector, HAL, LIC with such successful instances.
I'm giving a tip to those interested in the stock market. Any public sector company being abused by them (Opposition), bet on that company itself. Good will follow, said PM Modi.
7. Opposition bereft of ideas
PM Modi: When I said that in our third term, we would make India the 3rd largest economy, a responsible Opposition would have asked Nirmala ji for a roadmap, would have asked me 'how will you do it?' Now even this has to be taught by me.
But look at the dearth of imagination, they are saying that India would get there even without doing anything.
In Congress terms, Indian economy was stranded at 10th or 11th spot. After 2014, we've entered the top five.
'When you bring a No-Confidence Motion in 2028, India would be a top-3 economy by then'.
8. I.N.D.I.A and Ghamandiya
The prime minister took a jibe at the new project of Opposition unity, the I.N.D.I.A alliance.
He said: 'I had to express my sympathies for the Opposition (but couldn't) You performed the last rites of the UPA recently in Bengaluru. But I am the solely responsible for the delay. On one hand you were bringing the UPA to an end on the other celebrating putting 'plaster on a ruin'.
I want to tell the Opposition, the one you are following has no knowledge of this country's culture. Generations through, they are yet to understand the difference between green chilly and red chilly'.
He continued: This is not I.N.D.I.A gathbandhan but 'ghamandiya' (arrogant) gathbandhan, and everyone wants to be the groom in this wedding party'.
9. Congress usurping names and symbols
'In 1920', said PM Modi, the country's freedom movement got a new energy, got a new flag. Congress usurped that symbol as well. This game is going on since 1920'. . . .'
Even the name 'Gandhi', to attract votes', he added.
10. Victims of Congress
'This darbar system of the Congress has kept many away from what was rightfully due to them', said PM Modi. 'They put in all effort to defeat Babasaheb Ambedkar, twice. Babu Jagjivan Ram, even he was not spared. Morarji Desai, Chandra Shekhar, Charan Singh--darbaarvaad hurt all of them'.
11. Not bothered by abuses
Narendra Modi told the house that there are certain groups of people who have constantly abused him and wished him bad. They also went to the extent of saying, "Modi teri kabr khudegi".
He also mentioned that he isn't bothered by such abuses.
12. Reform, Transform, Perform
The Prime Minister highlighted how the mantra of "Reform, Transform, Perform" helped the institutions in the country to unleash their potential and play their part in boosting the Indian economy and governance.
13. Highlighting "Digital India" and "Make in India"
The PM also decried opposition leaders' repeated attempts to malign various schemes of the Government of India for empowering the economy and people of India, such as Digital India and Make in India.
14. Opposition trusted Pakistan and Hurriyat on Kashmir
The Prime Minister accused opposition parties of trusting foreign powers such as Pakistan and separatist forces such as Hurriyat over nationalist voices and the Indian army.
12. No confidence in Congress among people of India
The PM mentioned that the Congress has lost the confidence among the people of India and highlighted how Congress hasn't been elected in many states of India for decades such as Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Tripura, etc.
13. Using the country's name to boost trust in themselves
The Prime Minister accused the opposition parties of trying to appropriate the nation's name with the intention of tricking people into reposing trust in them. He also mocked the opposition alliance's changing its name from UPA to INDIA.
Modi said, "I want to express my sympathy with the opposition because a few days ago you performed the last rites of UPA in Bengaluru. On one hand, you were performing last rites par aap jashan bhi mana rahe the aur jashan bhi kis cheez ka - khandhar par naya plaster lagane ka... I want to tell the opposition that you are following those who even after so many generations are not able to differentiate between Lal mirch and Hari mirch'..."
14. Highlights Tamil Nadu's integral connection with the rest of India
The Prime Minister flagged a DMK MP's remark in Lok Sabha that India was a northern entity. The PM further proceeded to highlight the emotional integration of Tamil Nadu with the rest of India, saying that it produced luminaries such as Rajaji, APJ Abdul Kalam, etc.
16. Internal Contradictions of the Alliance
The PM highlighted the internal contradictions in the alliance by showing how the parties constituting the opposition bloc are fighting elections against each other in various states of India such as Bengal and Kerala.
17. Founding fathers and Freedom fighters of the nation consistently criticised the primacy of family in public life
Narendra Modi invoked the spirit of freedom fighters such as Ram Manohar Lohiya, Gopinath Bardoloi, Jaiprakash Narayan to criticize the centrality of dynasty and primacy of family in public life and politics.
18. Insulted leaders not belonging to the main families
The Prime Minister recounted how leaders not belonging to one family were sidelined and insulted by Congress. He alleged that the Congress used to mock the dress of BR Ambedkar and insulted Jagjivan Ram for criticizing the emergency.
19. The Naamdaar versus Kaamdaar contrast
The Prime Minister drew a contrast between the elitist proclivities of earlier governments with the people-centric approach of the present government.
He recounted how airplanes were previously used for cutting cakes on someone's birthdays but are now being used to deliver vaccines to the poor, and how Navy ships which were earlier used for personal merriment of some are now being deployed for poor Indians stranded in foreign lands.
20. The "Loot ki Dukaan" jibe
PM Modi took a jibe on opposition alliance by branding them as "Loot ki Dukaan" and that they are filled with "Nafrat" towards the ordinary voter. The PM also recounted the Emergency, Anti-Sikh Pogroms to highlight the hate spread the previous Congress government and also how it compromised the defense forces's dignity.
21. Guarantee of Making India's Economy the Third Largest
In his address, the Prime Minister made a bold statement, personally guaranteeing the transformation of India's economy into one of the top three largest economies globally, if elected for a third term. He challenged the opposition to provide a similar guarantee.
Furthermore, he stated that the opposition lacks clear-cut economic policies and is guaranteed to push the nation's economy into a downward spiral.
22. Attacks on Congress for Spreading Hate in the Country
The Prime Minister criticized the Congress for spreading hate and acrimony in the country during its previous tenures, recalling the attack on Akal Takht in Amritsar during the Indira Gandhi regime.
He also implicitly criticized Rahul Gandhi for not being present in the house, remarking that it is the Congress's arrogance that makes it believe it has the right to make others listen while not listening to anything itself.
23. Role of Congress in Harboring Tensions in Manipur
The PM highlighted the role of Congress in fostering tensions in Manipur during its rule in the northeastern state.
PM Narendra Modi said, "Whose government was in power in Manipur when everything used to happen according to the wishes of insurgent organizations? Whose government was there in Manipur when Mahatma Gandhi's picture was not allowed in government offices? Whose government was there in Manipur when the decision to not allow the national anthem in schools was made?... Their (opposition) pain is selective. They cannot think beyond politics..."
24. Quotes Lohia to Attack Nehru Government
The PM quoted socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia's criticism of the Nehru government regarding the northeastern states to counter the opposition's allegations of the present government's indifference towards the Manipur crisis.
He told the house that Lohia had remarked that the Congress government under the first Prime Minister deliberately sought to keep the northeast trapped in poverty.
25. Reaffirms the Government's Commitment to Bringing Peace and Harmony back to Manipur
The Prime Minister concluded his address by vigorously reaffirming his government's commitment to bringing peace and harmony to Manipur and propelling it towards growth and prosperity.
PM Modi said, "Serious crime against women took place in Manipur and it is unforgivable. The central and state governments are making all possible efforts to ensure strictest punishment to those guilty. I want to assure people of the country that peace will be restored and Manipur will move ahead with new self-confidence."
He further continued, "I want to tell the women of Manipur that the country stands with them. This Parliament is with them. We will together find ways to resolve this challenge, and peace will be established once again there. I assure the people of Manipur that the state will again witness progress."
Abhay Rathore is Staff Writer at Swarajya.