Modi Tears Into Opposition In Reply, Wishes It Well To Bring No-Confidence Motion Against Him In 2024

In his reply to the opposition's allegations during the debate on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress and other parties which supported the move.

Taking a dig at the Congress, he said that the motion was not introduced to check the National Democratic Alliance’s majority, but to check the unity between the parties part of the ‘joint opposition’.

He also took a dig at Congress President Rahul Gandhi, saying his moves showed that he was in a hurry to unseat him.

"In the morning, the voting was not over, the debate was also not over, one member comes running to me saying - Utho Utho Utho (up, up, up). What is his hurry to come to power? Let me tell this member it is the people who elected us. That is how we have come here," Modi said in a barb aimed at Gandhi.

“Some people are in a rush to get to the treasury benches. What is your hurry? Only 125 crore people of this country can do that,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Gandhi had rushed to the Prime Minister’s seat after finishing his speech and stunned everyone by hugging him.

In a dig at the joint opposition, he said: “I hope that you get so much strength that in 2024 you bring about another no-confidence motion".

Here is what he said on other issues:

Government’s Achievements

The Prime Minister started his speech in the Lok Sabha by listing the achievements of his government over the last four years.

He said his government has worked towards the electrification of 18,800 villages, which were in darkness for the past 70 years.

Saying that the economy was in good shape, he pointed out the fact that India ranks sixth among the largest economies.

Talking about the success of the Jan Dhan Yojana, he said his government had opened the doors of the banks for the poor.

He reminded that women are leading a smoke-free life due to the Ujjwala Yojana and toilets have been built across India under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Roads and railways are being built at a record pace.

National Security

The Prime Minister replied to Gandhi’s attack on the Rafael deal, the surgical strikes and Dokalam. He slammed him for calling the cross-border surgical strikes "jumla strikes". On the Rafale deal issue, he said it was unfortunate that France had to issue a clarification and refute Gandhi’s claim

"Just because of one careless allegation in the House on Rafale deal, both the nations had to release statements. We should not indulge in such childish behaviour. For how long will these people continue being immature. And this is the case when they have enjoyed power for so long," Modi said.

“Stop insulting soldiers who are on the front ready to die for you, you can insult me as much as you want,” he added.

Talking about the Dokalam stand-off, he said, "When the whole country was united at the time of Dokalam, you (Gandhi) met the Chinese envoy."

Jobs

He cited data to burst the myth of jobless growth under his government.

Over 11,40,000 people got employment in the transport sector, he said.

“Around 50 lakh jobs have been created in the last nine months in the formal sector. From Sept 2017 to May 2018 around 18 lakh people have been added to the rolls of employees provident fund (EPF). In 2016-17, 17,000 new CAs have joined business, and 5,000 out of these have started their own companies. If one company gives five jobs, then around one lakh jobs get created,” he added.

Modi said his government had empowered lakhs by providing them loans under the Mudra Yojana. India is making a mark in the start-up eco-system, he added.

Bad Loans

Talking about his government’s achievements, he said that his government has brought in a mechanism to rid the banks of bad loans.

He attacked the Congress-led United Progressive Government for giving loans on ‘phone’ and 'looting’ the banks. The non-performing assets, or bad loans, were a Congress legacy, Modi said.

"I want to share an important data with you. Total Rs 18-lakh crore disbursed as loans to different business houses in the 60 years of independence, but between 2008 and 2014, the amount jumped from Rs 18-lakh crore to Rs 52-lakh crore. How did it happen? The Congress disbursed Rs 34-lakh crore through 'phone banking', whenever some businessman called, his loan was approved. Whenever he had repay the loan, he was given another loan. But we changed the entire system of loan approval," the Prime Minister said in his reply.

Violence and Lynchings

Speaking against mob violence, the Prime Minister said there was no place for such activities in a democratic society. He urged state governments to take tough actions against those found involved in such acts.

“Any instance of violence brings shame to the nation. I will once again urge the state governments to punish those who indulge in violence,” he said.

Andhra Pradesh And Telangana

The Prime Minister said that his government is committed towards the development of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

"I want to tell the people of Andhra and Telangana that we will keep working for them. We will do everything possible for the development of the states," he said.

He blamed the Congress’ hasty division for the problems the two state are facing. He equated the division to India’s partition.

“Congress, without taking the people into confidence, took the decision to create Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh amidst tension. It divided Andhra Pradesh behind closed doors and their conduct then was shameful. Andhra Pradesh was divided for political gain," Moi said.

“Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji created 3 states: Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. It was done peacefully. These states are prospering,” he added.