Speaking for the first time in the 17th Lok Sabha, PM Modi set the tone for his government’s focal points in the next 5 years to usher the country in a new era of development and improve the ease of living of its residents. Replying to the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on the President’s Address, PM Modi urged the fellow parliamentarians to shun their personal differences and political rivalries and work jointly to catapult the nation on an exponential growth trajectory.
In 2014, the nation had chosen us as an experiment. But in 2019, the people who reign supreme in a democracy have reposed their faith in us after evaluating our performance. There is no greater satisfaction than being rewarded on the basis of your work: PM Modi #PMInLokSabha
— BJP (@BJP4India) June 25, 2019
At the outset of his speech, PM Modi expressed his gratitude to the people of the country for once again reposing their faith in his leadership with a greater majority in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. “In 2014, we got elected as an experiment but in 2019, people have entrusted us with the responsibility of governing the country again. This shows our government’s policies and initiatives, commitment and dedication have resonated with the aspirations of the people,” PM Modi said.
In a blistering attack against the Gandhi dynasty and their loyalists, PM Modi pulled no punches in slamming the family for perpetuating dynasty culture since the Independence.
“Those who were in power from 2004 to 2014 never appreciated Atalji’s good work. Did they ever speak about the good work of Narasimha Rao Ji? In this Lok Sabha debate, the same people did not even speak of Manmohan Singh. They recognised nobody beyond the family. Let me reiterate, all governments and every individual has played a role in the development of the country,” PM Modi said.
Responding to Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s challenge to get Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi incarcerated, PM Modi stated that the country is not in the grips of the Emergency like it was under Congress leader Indira Gandhi in 1975 and his government doesn’t interfere in matters related to the judiciary. Taking a swipe at Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, who are both out on bail, PM Modi said, “Let them enjoy till they are out on bail.”
हमें इसलिए कोसा जा रहा है कि हमने फलाने को जेल में क्यों नहीं डाला।
ये इमरजेंसी नहीं है कि किसी को भी जेल में डाल दिया जाए, ये लोकतंत्र है। ये काम न्यायपालिका है। हम कानून से चलने वाले लोग हैं और किसी को जमानत मिलती है तो वो इंजॉय करे। हम बदले की भावना से काम नहीं करेंगे: पीएम pic.twitter.com/EapdrXlfQV
— BJP (@BJP4India) June 25, 2019
Continuing his attack on Congress regarding their dubious stance vis-a-vis Muslims, PM Modi said, “Congress minister at the time of Shah Bano case has said in an interview, that is very shocking, that some Congress ministers were of the view that ‘upliftment of Muslims is not the responsibility of the Congress, if they want to lie in gutter, let them be’.”
Modi asserted that Congress had missed historic opportunities in two cases, one in the 1950s regarding the Uniform Civil Code and in 1980s, they missed it in Shah Bano case. “Now is the third chance to undo their wrongs by supporting the Triple Talaq Bill,” PM Modi said.
“When I was first elected to the parliament, I said my government is for the poor. I’m satisfied that our government had worked in the last five years towards that end,” PM Modi said. He also listed down initiatives and schemes such as PM Kisan Yojana, Ujjwala scheme and providing electricity to the villages hitherto unserved that have played a pivotal role in empowering the underprivileged.
PM Modi exhorted the elected parliamentarians to rise above the petty politics and unite together to propel the country into the $5-trillion economy category. “What are you going to get by mocking Make in India initiative? Other countries like China which started much later than India have aced us out in sectors like Defence. India is a number one importer of defence equipment in the world. It is time to change this reality. Constructive criticism is accepted but what are you going to achieve it by pulling the initiative down?” Modi asked.
PM Modi also emphasised the milestone of the 75th anniversary of India’s independence and called upon the legislators to imbibe the spirit exhibited by the Freedom fighters in 1942 Quit India movement to accomplish the targets set by the government by 2022.
