In a fiery address to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lambasted the Congress party for its perceived arrogance and accused it of fostering economic instability.
Modi’s remarks came during a two-day debate on the President's address to both houses of Parliament, where he also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, describing him as displaying "balak buddhi" (childish behaviour).
The Prime Minister's critique was aimed at the Congress's attempts to claim moral victory despite its repeated electoral defeats.
"This is the first time that the Congress has not crossed 100 seats for three consecutive times. Instead of conceding defeat, they are being arrogant. They are trying to build a narrative that they have beaten us," Modi declared, amid fervent protests from opposition benches.
Modi was particularly scathing towards Gandhi, suggesting that his recent emotional appeals in the House were a ploy for sympathy.
"The House witnessed the wailing of a person with 'balak buddhi' who tried to gain sympathy without disclosing the wrongs he had committed," he said, referencing Gandhi’s legal troubles and past controversial remarks.
The Prime Minister pointed out the significant mandate his government received for a third term, citing the public's endorsement of his administration’s work over the past decade. "In our third term, we will work at triple the speed. Our third term means we will put in thrice the strength.
In our third term, we will ensure three times the results," Modi asserted, setting an ambitious tone for his continued governance.
Modi also addressed accusations against his government regarding the Agnipath scheme and the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. He accused Congress of spreading falsehoods about these policies to create unrest.
"Lies were spoken regarding the scheme and MSP. When seasoned leaders like him (Gandhi) choose this path of anarchy, it shows that the nation is headed for trouble," he remarked.
The Prime Minister did not mince words about the Congress’s handling of its electoral losses.
"This is the third biggest defeat for the Congress. It would have been good if the Congress would have accepted its defeat and done some introspection. But it is busy in doing 'sirsasan' (headstand)," he said, accusing the party of distorting the narrative to suggest they had outperformed the BJP.
Modi stressed that the public’s trust in his government was based on its steadfast stance against corruption and its focus on national priorities. "Our primary objective is 'nation first'. Every step and action of ours has been guided by 'nation first'. With this in mind, we have continued reforms," he said, reiterating his government's commitment to comprehensive development and anti-corruption measures.
He also took the opportunity to highlight India's enhanced global standing under his leadership. "India's prestige has increased and the country is being looked up to by the world," he noted, attributing this to his administration’s consistent reforms and policies that prioritize national interest over appeasement.
Modi concluded by urging the opposition to accept the democratic mandate with humility and to contribute constructively to national discourse.
"Try to understand the mandate of the people honestly and accept it. I would urge the Congress to accept the mandate and not hide behind fake victory celebrations," he said.
In the midst of the heated exchanges, Modi’s message was clear: his government remains committed to driving India’s progress with renewed vigor in its third term, while the Congress must introspect and realign with the electorate's expectations.
Follow us
