 "Prime minister narendra modi")
Parliament Budget Session: Following his fiery speech filled with jibes at the Congress, the Opposition's failure, and the upcoming general elections in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now replying to the Motion of Thanks in the Rajya Sabha.
Addressing the Upper House, PM Modi took a dig at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge over his claim that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) alliance will win 400 seats in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
"Kharge ji has given 400 paar ashirvaad to the Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP]. When will he get the chance to say that again?" PM Modi said.
On Kharge's 'long' speech in the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said that he was wondering how Kharge got the freedom to speak so much. "Then, I realised that the two commandos who are usually here were not present... Kharge ji, after realising there were no umpires or commandos, kept hitting 4s and 6s," PM Modi said.
The prime minister also recalled incidents from the previous year, noting, "I remember the incident from last year. We used to sit in that building, and attempts were made to stifle the voices of the PM of the country."
Addressing the present situation, he said, "Today too, you have come prepared not to listen. But you can't suppress my voice. People of the country have strengthened this voice. I, too, have come prepared this time."
He emphasised the resilience of his voice, underlining that it cannot be muzzled, thanks to the support of the people.
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Addressing the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, "The Congress's thought has become outdated and it has outsourced its work. We are not happy at such a downfall of the party and we express our sympathies."
He further accused the Congress party of “creating narratives to break the country."
"The Congress that jailed Constitutional decorum, the Congress that tried to lock up newspapers - that Congress has now acquired the habit of creating narratives of breaking the country. This was not enough, now they are making statements about breaking the north and south. And this Congress is lecturing us on democracy and federalism!" he said.
Further criticising the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that while the Congress party had ceded significant portions of the country's land to the enemy, it now attempts to deliver lectures on internal security.
"Congress ceded large chunks of the country's land to the enemy but is now giving sermons to us on internal security," he said.
He also challenged the Congress party's credibility, highlighting their inconsistency in guaranteeing leaders and policies. He pointed out the irony of Congress questioning the guarantees provided by his government while lacking a stable foundation within their party.
"Congress does not have guarantee of its leaders and policies but is questioning Modi's guarantees," he said.
In another scathing attack, PM Modi accused the Congress of remaining inspired by the British and perpetuating symbols of slavery for decades.
"Who was inspired by the British?...Even after independence, who promoted colonial mindset in the country? If you were not inspired by the British, why did you not changed the IPC drafted by them? Why did you let the hundreds of laws that were framed by them, continue? Why did the red beacon culture continue even after decades? India's Budget used to be tabled at 5 pm because the British Parliament used to convene at that time in the morning...Who was inspired by the British?...Why did Rajpath have to wait for Modi to become Kartavya Path?" he said.
The prime minister further alleged that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was against reservation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in jobs.
He pointed out that the Congress's retention of Article 370 had resulted in the deprivation of the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC) in Jammu and Kashmir from their rightful entitlements.
In contrast, the prime minister highlighted his government's bold move in revoking Article 370, thereby securing the rights of the ST and SC communities in the region.
"In the 10 years of Congress, the Indian economy was in fragile five. Congress government was known for policy paralysis. On the other hand, in our 10 years, India has been one of the top five economies. Our 10 years will be remembered for big and decisive decisions," he said.
"My mantra was the same at that time [as the then Gujarat chief minister] and even today - Desh ke vikas ke liye rajya ka vikas...We should all follow that path. We will be able to develop the nation only through the development of the states, there can be no dispute about it. I assure you that if the state walks one step, it gives the strength [to the country] to walk two steps," he added.
"Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas yeh naara nahi hai, yeh Modi ki Guarantee hai," PM Modi reiterated.
"The third term of our government is not far. A few people call it 'Modi 3.0'. Modi 3.0 will use all its strength towards strengthening the foundation of Viksit Bharat," he said.
"In the coming five years, the strength of India's youth in the world of sports will be recognised. In the next five years, the public transport system in India is going to be transformed. In the next five years, the country will see the Bullet Train and the expansion of Vande Bharat. In the coming five years, Made in India will echo in the semiconductor world, and we will be the leader in electronics... I launched a campaign for millet through the UN. I do not see that day far away, where, in the coming five years, the superfood millet produced by the small farmers of our village will be available in the world market. Drones will be a new strength for farmers. I am sure that animal husbandry and fish farming will increase, and we are going to create records," he added.
