New Delhi: Replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at the Congress government and said former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi used Article 356 of the Constitution 50 times to dismiss elected state governments.

Modi launched a frontal attack on the Opposition, even as they were protesting for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the allegations against the Adani Group raised by the Hindenburg Research.

PM Modi, while replying to the motion of thanks in Rajya Sabha on the President’s address, also launched a stinging attack on the Congress. He claimed that the Congress govt at the Centre had dismissed 90 state governments by “misusing” Article 356 of the Constitution and that former PM Indira Gandhi “misused” it 50 times to dismiss elected state governments.

Earlier in the day, Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge raised objection over expunging few words from his statement. “Former Prime Ministers, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, have used the word that was expunged from my statement. I have not said anything unparliamentary,” the Congress MP said. The Congress chief had targetted PM Modi and his government on Wednesday, questioning the rise in the wealth of the Adani Group “in the last two-and-half years”. Some of Kharge’s remarks were later expunged from House records.

‘Covid vaccines made by scientists of India helped over 150 countries’

Talking about medical advancements that India has made in the last few years, the Prime Minister said: “There was pressure from people in the world to sell their vaccine in our market. Articles were written, TV interviews were given. There were attempts till yesterday to insult our scientists, but my country’s scientists made vaccines that were approved and benefitted over 150 countries.”

‘Opposition not bothered about country, only about politics’

Speaking about the technological advancements made by the country, PM Modi said: “Drones are being used to benefit the common man as the government has modified policies. The Opposition is against science and technology as they are not bothered about the country, but only about their politics. Today, more than 350 private companies have come into the defence sector. Our country is doing exports worth almost Rs 1 lakh crore in this sector. From retail to tourism, every sector has grown.”

‘Covid vaccines made by scientists of India helped over 150 countries’

Talking about medical advancements that India has made in the last few years, the Prime Minister said: “There was pressure from people in the world to sell their vaccine in our market. Articles were written, TV interviews were given. There were attempts till yesterday to insult our scientists, but my country’s scientists made vaccines that were approved and benefitted over 150 countries.”

‘Voice of small, marginal farmers being heard now’

The voice of small and marginal farmers was not heard in past, but now, our government is working for their welfare. The Congress party’s economic, social and political policies were based on vote bank politics, but we focus on development, Modi said.

‘Our schemes have benefitted over 3 crore tribals’

Talking about the measures his government has taken for the tribal people, PM said, “We identified 110 aspiration districts in the country. Education, infrastructure, and health was improved in these districts due to continued focus and performance reviews. This has benefitted more than 3 crore tribals.”

‘True secularism is making sure govt schemes reach all beneficiaries’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in reply to Motion of Thanks on President’s address in Rajya Sabha, said: “True secularism is making sure that the benefits of different government schemes reach all eligible beneficiaries. We have transformed the working culture with the power of technology. Our focus is on increasing speed and enhancing scale.”

Agencies

KR Desk