Parliament discusses Presidential address

Jaitley slams the UPA for leaving economy in a mess

With both houses of Parliament today taking up the Motion of Thanks to the Presidential address which outlined the new BJP led government's road map; the depleted Congress Opposition in the Lok Sabha accused the government of "repackaging" and "copying" the UPA agenda of the last 10 years.

The proceedings were disrupted occasionally in both houses over issues ranging from the BSP's demand for dismissal of the UP government to the Cauvery water dispute.

Leading the discussion in the Lok Sabha, BJP's Rajiv Pratap Rudy was scathing in his attack of the depleted bench strength of the UPA. He assured nonetheless that the BJP government would be accomadative in its approach to the Opposition.

In response to this, Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge cited the Mahabharta saying though the Pandavas were few in number as compared to Kauravas, they still could not be defeated.

In the upper house, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi who led the discussion said

"We talk about Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (all together, development for all) and promised that the government in the next 60 months would be treading this inclusive path.

Leading the Congress charge, Kharge said, "Nothing new has been said...we need to put the record straight. Modi only repackages what is already done.All these things have been repackaged in the name of Modi".

It was a similar accusation hurled at the government by Kharge's counterpart in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad. Listing out the "copying exercise" by the Modi government by way of schemes and plans mentioned in the President's address, Azad cautioned the government to not become arrogant, riding high on its huge mandate.

In the upper house, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced his Council of Ministers to the house in the post-lunch session.

Proceedings were disrupted soon after the Rajya Sabha met in the morning with BSP supremo Mayawati demanding imposition of President's rule in "lawless" UP raising the Badaun incident in the house.

Her party member, SC Mishra, questioned the "magic wand" that was being proffered by the BJP in the name of the "Gujarat model." With the Prime Minister seated in the house, Misra said he wanted to know since Modi himself was an MP from Varanasi in UP, what he intended to protect the interest of migrants from UP who were mistreated in states like Maharashtra. This led to protests from the Shiv Sena members.

Intervening in the debate as the Leader of the Rajya Sabha, Finance minister Arun Jaitley slammed the UPA government for leaving the economy in shambles.

Accusing the UPA of inheriting a robust 8,5 per cent growth in 2004 and leaving behind an economy clocking in less than five per cent, Jaitley added, fiscal deficit is high and tax collection has suffered. He charged the UPA with "elevating" poverty and not "alleviating" poverty.

He said the BJP's popular mandate had reassured investors and "Once again domestic and foreign investors have started looking at India."Jaitley said, "I think all these things that you have done, have now to be undone."

In the Rajya Sabha, V Maitreyan of the AIADMK recalled how the previous UPA government had turned a deaf ear to all their demands and cited instances of how the new Modi led government was quick in responding to their concerns.

TMC's Derek O' Brien said his party would play the role of a "constructive opposition" but would oppose when necessary.

With the earlier 15th Lok Sabha being routinely disrupted, the Lok Sabha Speaker at one point was seen intervening when disruptions threatened to take over, saying, "This is not the way. So many new members have come and some have returned after a few years. Please speak when you are given the chance. Such interruptions are not correct."