New Delhi, Jun 26 (UNI) As Parliament green lighted the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tore into the Indian National Congress in the Opposition-dominated Rajya Sabha and accused it of shifting blame for failure on Electronic Voting Machines.
Replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks in the Council of States, the PM slammed the Congress for averring that the country had lost in these elections and asserted that the defeat of the party could not be the nation’s loss.
Accusing the Congress of obstructing legislations in the Rajya Sabha over the past five years, he asked it to introspect as the people had handed them a drubbing in these elections for stalling development.
Charging the Congress with opposing his government’s initiatives, including ‘One nation One election’, he said the party continued to be full of arrogance despite their loss in the elections.
On the Opposition blaming EVMs for their loss in state Assembly and the Lok Sabha polls, the PM said that it shows their lack of faith in themselves.
'Some people kept talking about the EVM issue in this House. I want to tell them- there was a time when we were two MPs in Parliament. People mocked us. We had faith in our karyakartas. We worked hard to reach here.
'We never questioned the election process. Only those who have lost elections, blame the EVMs. This will only demoralise your cadre,' the Prime Minister said.
Cong blame game
Pointing out that it was the Congress that introduced EVMs in the country, the PM wondered why were they now opposing it now.
'There was a time when headlines of newspapers after polling day would highlight booth capturing. But thanks to EVMs, we talk about increasing voting percentages,’’ Mr Modi added.
'Do our friends in the Congress Party feel if they do not win, India does not win? Are India and the Congress Party the same thing? No, they are not. It is important to respect our electoral process and democracy. Did India lose in Wayanad or Rae Bareli," he asked.
'My friends in the Congress have not been able to digest victory, they have not been able to accept defeat. This is not a healthy sign in a democracy,’’ he said.
The PM slammed the opposition for dismissing the idea of ‘One nation one election’. He said, 'The same attitude is visible when it comes to discussing 'One Nation, One Election.' Yes, some may not like this idea or have views on this. But, it is important to present these ideas and have discussions on this.’’
He said reforms in elections are a continuous process.
Mr Modi lashed out at Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad saying that he does not want the ‘New India’ but wants the ‘Old India back.'
The PM said, 'Now they are slamming New India. Do they want old India back? Old India where cabinet decisions were torn in press meets, old India where Navy was used for personal trips, old India where numerous scams existed, old India which supported tukde tukde gang?'
He blamed the Opposition for obstruction of Government business in the Rajya Sabha. 'The voters now are very very aware, they not only know what is happening in Lok Sabha but also what is happening in Rajya Sabha, and they voted this time keeping these facts in mind.
'In these elections, people of the country punished all who stopped an elected government from bringing in laws. People understand why bills passed in Lok Sabha get stuck in Rajya Sabha," the PM said.
Five trillion dollar club
On the Opposition doubts on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance Government's aim to make India a five trillion dollar economy, Mr Modi said, 'I am sure there is no one in this House who will not like the nation to be part of the club. Please gives us constructive suggestions, we are open to all suggestions, we don't believe only we have all the intellect.'
While terming the Jharkhand lynching 'sad', he, however, objected to Opposition throwing the baby out with the bath water. 'The lynching in Jharkhand has pained me. It has saddened others too. But, some here in the Rajya Sabha are calling Jharkhand a hub of lynching. Is this fair? Why are they insulting a whole state. None of us have the right to insult the state of Jharkhand,' he said.
On Congress' charge that the BJP was trying to usurp the legacy of Sardar Patel, the PM said, 'I still believe had if he had been made the first Prime Minister of India, Kashmir issue would have been resolved. Sardar Patel lived and died as a Congressman. When we are paying tributes to the great leader, Congress has a
problem.'
Mr Modi said his government had cut down red tape and increased productivity.
He listed reforms such as building toilets, giving gas connections and providing electricity.The PM said the next five years would be fulfilling the aspiration of the common people. 'Every decision of ours will reflect this aspiration,' he said.
Targeting Congress on the 1984 riots, Mr Modi alleged that the perpetrators were in constitutional posts.
Assam accord
On the National Register for Citizens, the PM said the government was only following Supreme Court's instructions. He said the NRC was part of accord signed by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
'You take credit for everything. Will you not take credit for NRC? Rajiv Gandhi had accepted NRC in the Assam accord. Then Supreme Court had to intervene. Also, SC directed us so we have implemented it. So why are you not taking credit for this?,' the PM asked.
Referring to Encephalitis deaths in Bihar, the PM said that the need of the hour was to strengthen Ayushman Bharat scheme.
'The deaths in Bihar due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome are unfortunate and a matter of shame for us. We have to take this seriously. I am in constant touch with the state Government and I am sure we will collectively come out of this crisis soon.
'The need of the hour is to strengthen Ayushman Bharat. We want our poor to get the best quality and affordable medical treatment,' he said.
Mr Modi said he was willing to look into shortcomings in Ayushman Bharat scheme if any, but asked the Opposition not to write off the entire plan.
Describing the water crisis in the country as a pressing issue, Mr Modi said as many as 222 districts are reeling under scarcity and the government has explored various options including using Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme. 'The Jal Shakti Ministry will look into this,' he said.
Mr Modi said about Rs three lakh crore was deposited after the Fugitive Economic Offenders law came into force.
After Mr Modi's reply, the Motion of Thanks was passed. The House negated the amendments by Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s T K Rangarajan and Communist Party of India’s D Raja.
The Motion was cleared by a voice vote.
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