From promising action against people responsible for the NEET paper leak to vowing to end corruption to the government’s economic achievements, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address at the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday covered wide-ranging issues peppered with digs at the opposition members, who heckled him throughout and later staged a walkout saying Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had been denied permission to intervene.
Accusing the opposition of meddling with the future of young people for the sake of politics, Modi said his government would take strong action against those guilty of the NEET paper leak and they would not be spared.
President Droupadi Murmu, in her address to Parliament, had made mention of the paper leak, and he had expected the entire House to overlook political differences to discuss the matter, he added.
“The issue, which is about the future of the country, is being politicised by them. What can be more unfortunate than this?” PM Modi asked.
On violence-riven Manipur, where ethnic clashes have led to countless deaths, Modi said his government had been committed to ushering in peace in the state.
Around 11,000 FIRs had been registered and 500 people had been arrested. There were fewer incidents of violence. “There is hope for peace. Schools and colleges are open, and exams have been held,” he added.
The Home Minister and the Minister of State (Home) had camped in the state for days. Now the government was addressing the flood situation there with the NDRF teams working with the Centre and state to address the situation, he said.
Manipur "will reject" those trying to create tensions there, the PM said. The Congress was constantly flagging the issue but it was a conflict with “deep roots,” he said, advising the opposition party to remember that President’s Rule had been imposed 10 times in the state.
Violence took place in 1993, too, so the best thing to do was to learn from history and restore peace, he added.
On corruption and black money, the PM said the government had given freedom to the probe agencies to take action in such cases.
Slamming the Congress for its allegations of corruption against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) first and then forming an alliance with the party later, he said AAP committed liquor scam, scam in building classrooms for children and even water scam. "The Congress complains against the AAP, drags AAP to court and if action is taken then they abuse Modi."
Modi said the Congress had presented proof of the AAP's scams before the country in a press conference. The Congress should now answer whether the proof was true or false.
On achievements, Modi said that his government helped the Indian economy reach number five in the world, up from number 10.
"We have brought the economy from number 10 to number five, despite the challenges of the corona pandemic and global conflicts," he added.
On women's issues, he said the government was focused on their development and also prioritised their health and sanitation.
Referring to Sandeshkhali in West Bengal and the recent violence against a woman and man in the state’s Uttar Dinajpur District allegedly by a TMC worker, he said the opposition had failed to condemn the incident as it was a case of selective politics.
His digs at the UPA rule in a government helmed by Manmohan Singh, where Sonia Gandhi allegedly called the shots, did not go down well with the opposition. "These are people who have experience of running auto pilot or remote pilot governments. So, they don’t believe in working. But we never shirk hard work," Modi said.
As opposition members walked out shouting slogans, he said "They can't digest defeat. Their activities yesterday failed, so they have run away today."
Claiming he was not present in Parliament to score points, PM modi said he was "a sevak of the people that I believe I have to inform them what all I have done."
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