Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, highlighted the significance of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) third consecutive electoral victory, attributing it to the unwavering trust of the Indian people.
He emphasized that such an achievement is a rare occurrence in the history of independent India and the parliamentary journey, underscoring the trust and confidence the public has placed in the current government.
During his speech, Modi took a critical stance against the opposition alliance, INDIA bloc, accusing them of attempting to downplay the NDA’s substantial victory.
He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the public's decision, which he described as a clear mandate for good governance. Modi expressed his gratitude to the approximately 70 MPs who participated in the discussion on the President’s Address, acknowledging their contributions to the parliamentary debate.
However, the session was not without its share of controversy. When the Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, attempted to intervene during Modi's speech, he was not permitted by the Chair to speak, which led to protests from the opposition benches. This incident highlighted the ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, reflecting the deep political divides within the Parliament.
Earlier in the day, the proceedings began with Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhhar offering condolences for the lives lost in a stampede incident in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.
Kharge took this opportunity to call on the government to enact legislation to prevent such tragic incidents in the future, stressing the need for proactive measures to ensure public safety.
Modi also addressed the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, affirming that the central government is making continuous efforts to normalize the situation. He noted that over 11,000 FIRs had been registered and more than 500 people arrested in connection with the violence.
The Prime Minister emphasized that incidents of violence were decreasing and that both central and state governments were engaging with all stakeholders to restore peace in the region.
He criticized the Congress for imposing President's rule in Manipur multiple times in the past and urged all parties to cooperate in restoring peace, leaving behind political differences.
In a pointed critique of the Congress party, Modi accused it of shielding individuals within the party and scapegoating Dalit and OBC leaders during times of electoral defeat.
He cited specific instances where Congress fielded candidates from marginalized communities in elections they expected to lose, highlighting what he described as the party’s “anti-SC/ST/OBC” mindset.
Modi recalled past elections, such as the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, where he claimed Congress deliberately fielded candidates from these communities knowing they would likely lose. He accused the Congress of humiliating former President Ram Nath Kovind and the current tribal woman President of India.
Modi also addressed the contentious issue of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG exams, assuring the youth that the government would not spare those involved in the alleged paper leaks.
He expressed disappointment that the opposition did not rise above politics on this sensitive issue, stressing the need for a fair and merit-based examination process. Modi assured students that the government was taking stringent actions to ensure that those responsible for irregularities in the NEET-UG exams faced strict punishment.
In his concluding remarks, Modi reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption, stating that he had given a free hand to agencies to take stringent action against corrupt practices without government interference.
He emphasized that the fight against corruption is not merely for electoral gains but is a mission to build a corruption-free nation. Modi took a dig at the Congress, accusing it of running a "Bhrashtachari Bachao Andolan" (Save the Corrupt Movement) and highlighted the contradictions in their stance on corruption.
Throughout his address, Modi faced interruptions from opposition members who raised slogans and protested, reflecting the contentious and polarized atmosphere within the Parliament.
Despite these interruptions, Modi remained steadfast in delivering his messages, emphasizing the achievements of his government and calling for cooperation from all parties to address national issues.
The session ended on a tumultuous note as the opposition walked out in protest, highlighting the ongoing political strife and the challenges of achieving bipartisan cooperation in the Parliament.
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