New Delhi, Feb 4 (PTI): In a sharp critique of the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a fierce attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing certain individuals of "speaking the language of urban naxals" and asserting that those who declare "war" against the Indian state fail to understand the Constitution and the nation's unity.
Addressing the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, Modi made several indirect references to Gandhi, as well as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as he highlighted his government’s achievements and responded to criticisms from opposition leaders ahead of the Delhi assembly elections.
In a direct jibe at Gandhi, Modi said, "Some people are openly adopting the language of urban naxals—those who declare war against the Indian State can neither understand the Constitution nor grasp the essence of India's unity." Though the Prime Minister did not explicitly name Gandhi, his remarks appeared to be a reaction to Gandhi's statement last month, in which he said, "We are now fighting the BJP, the RSS, and the Indian State itself."
Modi also mocked AAP's leadership, particularly Kejriwal, for focusing on luxury while his government has concentrated on providing basic necessities for the public. "Some leaders are preoccupied with jacuzzis and stylish showers, while our focus is on providing water to every household," he said. He further added that certain political parties are like "AAP-da" in their promises—offering doles during elections but failing to deliver them once in power.
The Prime Minister also defended his administration’s fiscal prudence, stating that his government’s schemes have saved substantial amounts of money, but it was not used for "building Sheesh Mahals," a reference to the extravagant lifestyles associated with some politicians.
In another pointed remark, Modi referred to opposition members' reactions to the President’s Address. He recalled how Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were seen discussing the President's speech in Parliament, with Rahul allegedly calling the speech "boring." Modi remarked that those who seek photo opportunities in the huts of the poor would likely find such discussions uninteresting.
Modi continued by contrasting his government’s record on poverty alleviation with the Congress party’s past promises. He emphasized that his administration had moved beyond slogans like "garibi hatao" (eradicate poverty) and had helped lift 25 crore people out of poverty, while also providing four crore homes for the poor. “Those who have experienced the hardship of living without a proper roof can truly understand the importance of a home,” he said.
Modi also fired back at the opposition's criticisms, stating that understanding the struggles of the poor requires passion, which, in his view, many opposition leaders lack. “The pain of the poor and the troubles of the common man cannot be understood casually; it requires dedication," he remarked, adding that his government remains committed to the spirit of the Constitution and rejects "politics of poison."
In a swipe at former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Modi highlighted the dissonance between his vision and reality. "A former Prime Minister, who talked about the '21st century', was so disconnected from the ground that he couldn’t even provide for the needs of the 20th century," Modi quipped.
Finally, Modi praised the recent Budget decisions, particularly tax reforms that have benefitted millions. He pointed out that in 2002, the income tax exemption limit was just Rs 2 lakh, but under his government, no income tax is levied on earnings up to Rs 12 lakh.
The Prime Minister also touched upon the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme, stating that while it was designed to help the poor, some states had obstructed its implementation, leaving vulnerable populations without much-needed support.
As the debate continued, Modi’s remarks underscored his government's commitment to development, attacking the opposition for what he termed as hollow promises and misplaced priorities.
