New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) – Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday criticized the President’s address to both Houses of Parliament, stating that it was a repetition of last year's speech and merely a “laundry list” of the government's achievements.
Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s address delivered on January 31, Gandhi took a sharp dig at both the present NDA government and the previous UPA administrations, admitting that successive governments have struggled to effectively tackle unemployment and provide clear job opportunities for the youth.
Gandhi also took aim at the 'Make in India' initiative, acknowledging it as a good idea but asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "pretty much failed" in its implementation. He went further to link this failure with national security, claiming that China's presence within Indian territory was a direct consequence of India's reluctance to boost domestic production. "I am worried that India is going to give up this revolution to the Chinese once again," he warned.
With Prime Minister Modi present in the House, Gandhi also took a jibe at India’s foreign policy, stating that if the Congress were in power, it would not send the External Affairs Minister to the United States to lobby for the Prime Minister’s invitation to the U.S. President’s "coronation."
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju swiftly countered Gandhi’s remarks, challenging him to substantiate his claims on the government’s foreign policy. "You cannot make such unsubstantiated claims," Rijiju retorted.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the President's speech, Gandhi said, "I struggled to maintain my attention because I have heard pretty much the same address before—it's just a repeat of the government's list of accomplishments."
The Congress leader also raised concerns about India’s manufacturing sector, arguing that the country had failed to organize production efficiently, instead ceding ground to China. Additionally, he cautioned that rising social tensions within the nation were further exacerbating economic challenges.
Touching on emerging technologies, Gandhi highlighted four key drivers of transformation in the mobility sector: electric motors, batteries, optics, and artificial intelligence (AI), underscoring the need for India to focus on technological advancement and production.
The debate, marked by sharp exchanges, reflected the deep political divisions on economic and strategic issues, setting the stage for continued discourse in Parliament.
Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s address delivered on January 31, Gandhi took a sharp dig at both the present NDA government and the previous UPA administrations, admitting that successive governments have struggled to effectively tackle unemployment and provide clear job opportunities for the youth.
Gandhi also took aim at the 'Make in India' initiative, acknowledging it as a good idea but asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "pretty much failed" in its implementation. He went further to link this failure with national security, claiming that China's presence within Indian territory was a direct consequence of India's reluctance to boost domestic production. "I am worried that India is going to give up this revolution to the Chinese once again," he warned.
With Prime Minister Modi present in the House, Gandhi also took a jibe at India’s foreign policy, stating that if the Congress were in power, it would not send the External Affairs Minister to the United States to lobby for the Prime Minister’s invitation to the U.S. President’s "coronation."
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju swiftly countered Gandhi’s remarks, challenging him to substantiate his claims on the government’s foreign policy. "You cannot make such unsubstantiated claims," Rijiju retorted.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the President's speech, Gandhi said, "I struggled to maintain my attention because I have heard pretty much the same address before—it's just a repeat of the government's list of accomplishments."
The Congress leader also raised concerns about India’s manufacturing sector, arguing that the country had failed to organize production efficiently, instead ceding ground to China. Additionally, he cautioned that rising social tensions within the nation were further exacerbating economic challenges.
Touching on emerging technologies, Gandhi highlighted four key drivers of transformation in the mobility sector: electric motors, batteries, optics, and artificial intelligence (AI), underscoring the need for India to focus on technological advancement and production.
The debate, marked by sharp exchanges, reflected the deep political divisions on economic and strategic issues, setting the stage for continued discourse in Parliament.
