Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his reply to the debate on Motion of Thanks, took a humorous jibe at the Opposition over host of issues. Needless to say, his speech – tinkered with humour – has added a new dimension to Parliament proceedings.
He touched upon several issues including Covid-19, farmers’ protest, and international attention on the protests. While hinting at tweets supporting farmer unions, Prime Minister Modi coined a new term – “Foreign Destructive Ideology” or FDI in the Rajya Sabha.
Here are the highlights of from his speech:
PM’s ‘Opposition Jibe’
PM Modi hit out at TMC MP Derek O’Brien during his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address. “I was listening to Derek Ji, he had chosen good words — freedom of speech, intimidation,” PM Modi said.
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“When I was listening to him, I was wondering if he is talking about Bengal or the country. He sees all this for 24 hours, so he might have said the same here too,” PM Modi said.
I was listening to Derek ji, he had chosen good words – Freedom of Speech, Intimidation. When I was listening to him, I was wondering if he is talking about Bengal or the country. He sees all this for 24 hours, so he might have said the same here too: #PMModi #RajyaSabha pic.twitter.com/JOD9NYBSFG
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) February 8, 2021
He tore apart Opposition criticism over farmers’ protest. Using the Emergency analogy, he attacked Congress MP Pratap Singh Bajwa and said, “Bajwa sahab from Congress was also speaking. He was speaking in such detail that I thought he will reach Emergency shortly and speak on it, he is just one step away from it. But he didn’t go there. Congress disappoints this country a lot, you did that too.”
Bajwa sahab from Congress was also speaking. He was speaking in such detail that I thought he will reach Emergency shortly and speak on it, he is just one step away from it. But he didn’t go there. #Congress disappoints this country a lot, you did that too: #PMModi #RajyaSabha pic.twitter.com/StCa5oQWjm
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) February 8, 2021
PM’s G-23 Dig
PM Modi drew attention to senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s easy manner and his comments on his native Jammu and Kashmir and the recent local polls with a G-23 jibe.
“Ghulam Nabi ji always speaks decently, never uses foul language. We should learn this from him, I respect him for it. He praised elections held in J&K… I believe your party will take it in right spirit, and not make the mistake of doing opposite by listening to suggestions of G-23,” said the PM, referring the term for a group of 23 in the Congress who wrote to party chief Sonia Gandhi last year demanding organisational change.
PM On Opposition Boycotting Kovind’s Address
He slammed Opposition leaders who boycotted President Ramnath Kovind’s address.
“It would have been better had the Opposition heard the President’s address. But it is the power of his speech that without hearing his speech, the Opposition spoke a lot about it,” he said.
He also urged the Opposition to discuss issues but refrain from engaging in issues “that put the country down, demotivate it”.
‘Andolan Jivi’ Dig
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said a new community has come up in the country — Andolan Jivi (those who thrive on protests)– who can be spotted in every protest and are parasites for the nation.
“We are well aware of some terms like ‘Shram Jivi’ and ‘Buddhi Jivi’. But, I am seeing that from some time a new entity has come up in this country- ‘Andolan Jivi’. This community can be spotted wherever there is a protest, be it agitation by lawyers, students, or labourers, sometimes at the forefront and sometimes from behind. They cannot live without protests. We have to identify such people and protect the nation from them.”