“That name is Mrs. Indira Gandhi, PM Narendra Modi response to state accusations of harassment
As PM Narendra Modi began Thank on the President’s address, Opposition MPs began raising “Modi-Adani bhai-bhai” slogans in Rajya Sabha
Responding to allegations that the Centre harasses state governments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that he understands the value of federalism because he was a state chief minister for many years. The government has repeatedly emphasized “cooperative-competitive federalism,” according to the prime minister.
“In our policies, we have kept national progress in mind while also addressing regional aspirations,” he explained. “Our policy exemplifies the ideal balance of national progress and regional aspiration.”
Prime Minister Modi slammed the Congress for its history of seizing control of state machinery by invoking emergency powers under Article 356, claiming that it was the grand old party that abused constitutional provisions the most and toppled elected state governments at will.
“Not only that, one prime minister used ‘Article 356’ 50 times, hitting a half-century,” Modi continued, as Opposition MPs continued to yell slogans linking the prime minister to beleaguered billionaire Gautam Adani. Mrs. Indira Gandhi is her name.”
He also chastised Left parties for siding with Congress, recalling how the Nehru-led government dismissed Kerala’s first democratically elected Communist government.
As PM Modi began his response to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, Opposition MPs began shouting “Modi-Adani bhai-bhai” in Rajya Sabha. PM Modi stated in his address to the Rajya Sabha, “The country pays close attention to what is said in this House. Some members are bringing this House into disrepute.”
During his 90-minute speech, Modi also highlighted his government’s accomplishments, from eliminating the waiting period for cooking gas to opening bank accounts for all and providing electricity connections.
“In the last 3-4 years, approximately 11 crore houses have received tap water connections. In terms of common people empowerment, we launched the Jan Dhan account movement. Over the last nine years, 48 crores of Jan Dhan accounts have been opened across the country,” he says.
