Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his response to Rahul Gandhi’s comments about fighting the Indian State, accused some individuals of speaking the language of urban naxals. While not directly naming the Congress leader, Modi emphasized that those declaring war on the Indian State lacked understanding of the Constitution and the nation’s unity.
In a detailed, 90-minute reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, Modi highlighted his government’s achievements, such as the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme and the construction of 40 million homes for the poor and middle class. He contrasted these initiatives with the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) claims in Delhi, which promise savings of up to Rs 25,000 per month (approximately $300).
Modi assured that his government’s third term would focus on achieving greater goals, including the vision of a modern and strong India by 2047. He defended his administration’s efforts to curb wasteful spending, citing the identification of non-existent beneficiaries, and criticized the opposition for spending taxpayer money on unnecessary luxuries, referencing the controversy surrounding the Delhi Chief Minister’s bungalow.
The PM also took the opportunity to criticize former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s foreign policy and referred to Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, accusing him of failing to address the country’s realities while pushing forward with misguided goals for the 21st century.
Modi also ridiculed Rahul Gandhi’s comments about the Congress-led government’s role in the computer revolution of the late 1980s, pointing out the current government’s readiness for technological transformation.
In his speech, the PM attacked AAP and Arvind Kejriwal, calling their promises to the youth “calamitous” and highlighting his government’s initiatives for the poor, farmers, youth, and marginalized communities. He referenced the Budget’s focus on creating jobs, tax relief for the salaried class, and support for the MSME sector.
Modi further criticized the Gandhi family, questioning whether members of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes were represented in Parliament, while highlighting his government’s law against triple talaq for Muslim women’s rights.
Referring to Gandhi’s remarks at the inauguration of Congress’ headquarters, Modi accused some people of echoing the rhetoric of urban naxals, a term often associated with anti-state sentiment. He contrasted this with his government’s real developmental work, citing the exit of 250 million people from poverty in the last five decades (approximately $30 billion in savings).
After the session, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra responded, claiming that the PM had lost touch with the people, while Shashi Tharoor called Modi’s speech an election campaign address.