'Scared of truth, sought refuge in lies': Rahul Gandhi reacts to PM Modi's RS speech

Nehruji felt 35 crore citizens are a problem, Indira Gandhi 57 crore...PM Modi slams Congress in Rajya Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Congress in Rajya Sabha and cited a speech of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, stating that she and her father Jawaharlal Nehru had referred to citizens of the country as a "problem".

Replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks on the President's address, PM Modi also took veiled digs at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

He said there is a huge difference in the way the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance looks at a situation or the thinking towards the solution of a problem and how the Congress does.

"Whether is it BJP or NDA, our approach to looking at a situation and at looking for solutions to problems, there is a vast difference between us and the Congress. Our approach is that 140 crore citizens are so capable that they can tackle challenges. We have trust in the citizens and their capabilities. This is also the true strength of democracy. But Congress considers the citizens a problem," he said.

"I want to tell this with an example how they used to think about people of country. What was the thinking of Nehruji and Indiraji for the people of the country, I want to tell about this. Indiraji once went to Iran, she was giving a speech. In her speech, she mentioned her conversation with Nehruji. She said 'When someone asked my father (Nehru) how many problems he had, my father replied 35 crore'. At that time, our country's population was 35 crore. The citizens of the country were seen as a problem by Nehruji. Can there be a leader like this," PM Modi asked.

'Scared of truth, sought refuge in lies': Rahul Gandhi reacts to PM Modi's RS speech

They talk of digging Modi's grave, this is not merely a slogan but shows deep hatred towards me: PM Modi in RS

PM Modi slams Congress & Trinamool Congress, says his govt reduced NPAs below 1 pc, PSUs at record profits

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, defended his government's banking and public sector reforms while launching a scathing attack on the Opposition, particularly the Congress and Trinamool Congress, amid the ongoing Budget Session disruptions.

Highlighting achievements in the banking sector, Prime Minister Modi said that non-performing assets (NPAs) have been reduced to below one per cent through multiple reforms, describing a robust banking system as essential for a strong economy.

He contrasted this with past governments, claiming that public sector undertakings (PSUs) have now reached record profits and are serving as catalysts for the 'Make-in-India' initiative, generating employment, and expanding globally.

He accused the Opposition members of spreading misinformation about PSUs, likening them to urban Naxals attempting to incite unrest outside factory gates.

Prime Minister Modi expressed disappointment over the quality of discussions in the House, noting that he had listened to various speeches but felt the level could have been higher.

He targeted the Trinamool Congress specifically, pointing to the poor law and order situation in West Bengal while its MPs advocate in the Parliament.

He criticised their stance on illegal immigrants, or "ghuspetiye", saying that even developed countries are deporting such individuals, yet some "parties" in India shield them.

'Be it trade deal with EU, recent deal with the US, entire world is praising these...': PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India is signing future-ready trade deals with several countries, and that, be it the trade agreement with the European Union or the recent deal with the United States, the entire world is openly praising these trade deals.

Replying to the motion of thanks on the President's Address in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said India is today a trusted partner of several nations and the country is playing its role towards the welfare of the world.

"India is signing future-ready trade deals with several countries. In the past few days, we have had trade deals with nine big and important countries of the world. Mother of all deals with 27 countries, with European Union is one of them," he said.

"The recently signed trade deals will greatly benefit our youth. This includes young people from both rural and urban areas, as well as those from middle-class backgrounds--our sons and daughters. With the world market now open to them, new opportunities await. I want to assure our youth that I stand with you, shoulder to shoulder, and that the world is ready to welcome your talents and ambitions," he added.

The Prime Minister the big countries are very eager to have trade relations with India.

"Be it the trade deal of the European Union or the recent deal with the US...The entire world is openly praising these trade deals. When we signed the trade deal with the EU, the world became more confident about the greater likelihood of global stability. After the trade deal with the US, the world became even more confident that the with stability, they can sense a speed too. This is a positive sign for the world," he said.

Congress insulted Assamese people when our govt conferred Bharat Ratna on Bhupen Hazarika: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi taunts Congress; says it only imagines projects, has nothing to do with implementation

"Be it Nehru, Indira or entire Congress, they consider citizens as problem; such people can only benefit their own families.In Lok Sabha, discussion on President's address could not take place. This is big insult to President of India.Congress not just insulted poor, tribal woman (President of India) but also the highest constitutional functionary.Incidents in Lok Sabha were very painful," PM Modi said in Rajya Sabha.

'Infiltrators, Congress and a jibe at Kharge': Top quotes from PM Modi's reply to motion of thanks in Rajya Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his much-anticipated speech in Rajya Sabha amid sloganeering and walkout by the opposition. From targeting the "decades" of Congress regime to accusing the opposition of "protecting the infiltrators", the prime minister said that a significant part of the NDA regime, which has been in power for over a decade now, has gone in "correcting the mistakes of the past".

The prime minister started his speech amid loud sloganeering of "Let the LoP speak" and "tanashashi nahi chalegi (dictatorship will not be tolerated) by the opposition MPs. PM Modi taunted the leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, suggesting that he should consider "sitting" and raising slogans, given his age. The opposition staged a walkout shortly after the speech began. Read more

PSUs making record profits today against earlier notion that they were only supposed to make losses: PM Modi

Opposition used to mislead people on PSUs just as 'urban naxals' would do: PM Modi in RS

We reduced 'mountain' of NPAs in banks and brought it down to lowest level of less than 1 per cent: PM Modi in RS

My government freed banks from illness that had crept into system; restored their health: PM Modi

'Worked to fill their own pockets': PM Modi slams Congress, TMC and Left parties

During his address, PM Modi said, "Whether it is the Congress, the TMC, the DMK, or the Left, they have remained in power at the Centre for decades and have also had opportunities to run governments in the states. They only worked to fill their own pockets; bringing change to the lives of citizens was never their priority…"

Those who are indulged in vote-bank politics never strengthen the important aspects: PM Modi

Speaking in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, “Those who are indulged in vote-bank politics never strengthen the important aspects. As far as the Congress party is concerned, I want to say clearly that they didn’t have any vision and as a result, the country had to suffer so much.”

'No one even looked in your direction': PM Modi slams opposition

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Today, India is entering into future-ready trade deals with several countries. In recent times, we have concluded major trade agreements with some of the world’s most important and advanced economies. A landmark deal has been finalised with the European Union, involving 27 countries. Those who are tired and disappointed today will, sooner or later, have to answer how they allowed the country to reach a stage where no nation in the world was willing to enter into a trade deal with India. You may have tried, you may have made repeated efforts, but no one even looked in your direction. Countries simply were not willing to strike deals with India at that time.”

Opposition MPs walkout from Rajya Sabha as Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues his reply on Motion of Thanks to the President's Address

Second quarter of century also going to be powerful for making India a developed nation: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

Opposition stages walkout amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Rajya Sabha

Country is going ahead in the right direction at a fast pace: PM Modi

n Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, "In the journey of Viksit Bharat, previous years have been the years of rapid development of the country. This has been the era of change in every walk of life, in evey section of society. The country is going ahead in the right direction at a fast pace."

'Kharge can raise slogans while sitting': PM Modi take shot at oppn in Rajya Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi replies to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, in Rajya Sabha.

PM Modi replies to motion of thanks in Rajya Sabha; oppn creates ruckus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Rajya Sabha

PM Modi to speak in Rajya Sabha shortly

PM hiding behind speaker, 'lie' that there were plans to hurt him: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "hiding behind" Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and described the claim that there was any plan to hurt the PM as an "absolute lie".

Her remarks came after Birla said in the Lok Sabha that he had asked PM Modi not to come to the House to deliver his address following concrete information that many Congress MPs could carry out an "unexpected act" by reaching the spot where the prime minister sits.

Lashing out at opposition members, the speaker said the conduct of some of them in his office on Wednesday was not appropriate and was, in fact, was "like a black spot".

According to Priyanka Gandhi, the government is making the speaker "say all this" because on Wednesday the prime minister did not have the guts to come to the House.

"It is an absolute lie. There is no question of anybody raising hands on the prime minister, trying to hurt him or any such thing. There is no question. So it is absolutely wrong for anybody to say that there was any such plan, there was no such plan," Priyaka Gandhi told reporters in the Parliament House complex.

LoP must be allowed to speak, objections created bigger issue: Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, should be allowed to speak in the Parliament, asserting that objections raised to his remarks during the President’s Address had created a larger parliamentary issue.

Reacting to the disruption, Tharoor said the Leader of the Opposition was merely quoting material that was already in the public domain.

"The LoP should be allowed to speak. He was quoting a matter that was already published in a magazine. It is no longer an unpublished item. All he wanted was to make his point and then move on to other issues in the President’s Address. By raising such a big objection and not allowing him to speak, a much larger problem has been created," he said.

The Congress leader also shared details about a recent injury, saying he had suffered a hairline fracture after falling outside Parliament premises on Wednesday.

"Yesterday, when I came out of Parliament, I fell down. Unfortunately, I’ve got a hairline fracture," he said.

Despite the injury, Tharoor said he would continue attending Parliament and official duties.

SAD takes swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Bittu; says their comments 'expose' their level of maturity

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu for their remarks against each other and said they "expose" the level of maturity of these political leaders.

The party's remarks came a day after Gandhi called Bittu, Union Minister of State for Railway, a "traitor", prompting the BJP to accuse the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha of insulting the entire Sikh community and demand that Speaker Om Birla take action against him.

It happened right outside Parliament's Makar Dwar on Wednesday. As Bittu was entering the House on Wednesday morning, Gandhi called him "a traitor" and the minister retorted with "desh ke dushman" (enemy of the nation) jibe.

Reacting to the incident, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal took a swipe at Gandhi and Bittu, and said, "I feel both are correct."

SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the level of political leadership in the country could only be pitied after seeing what happened between Gandhi and Bittu.

"It exposes the level of maturity these political leaders have," he further said, adding, "The issues of the people need to be discussed in Parliament. Such incidents do not deserve any importance."

On the BJP's accusation that Gandhi insulted the entire Sikh community, Cheema asserted that personal disputes should not be made the issue of the 'qaum' (Sikh community).

"Their real level has come before the public," Cheema told reporters here.

Had concrete info that Cong MPs could carry out unexpected act, asked PM not to come to LS: Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said he had concrete information that many Congress MPs could carry out an "unexpected act" by reaching the spot where Prime Minister Narendra Modi sits and therefore he asked him not to come to the House to deliver his address.

If this incident had taken place, then this would have left the democratic traditions of the country in shreds, Birla said as the House reassembled at 3 PM.

In a sharp response to Birla's remarks in the House, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that Prime Minister Modi is "hiding behind" the Speaker and termed as "absolute lie" the claim that there was any plan to hurt Modi.

Lashing out at opposition members, the Speaker said the conduct of some of them in his office on Wednesday was not appropriate and in fact was "like a black spot".

"With sadness I have to inform that some members displayed such behaviour in the House on Wednesday that had never been witnessed in its history," he said.

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed dramatic scenes as women opposition MPs charged towards the prime minister's seat holding banners ahead of his scheduled speech, leading to adjournment of proceedings for the day.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm amid opposition protests over various issues.

Priyanka Gandhi responds to JP Nadda's 'abodh' remark for Rahul Gandhi

In response to Union minister JP Nadda calling Rahul Gandhi "abodh", Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "He should be allowed to speak. Is this a way to talk about anyone? What are they scared of? That he will quote from a book? Or are they scared of the Epstein files? Or that we will question them on this deal (US-India trade agreement)?"

'I want word 'lynch' removed, honourable Leader of Opposition (Kharge) is not right in using that word': Nirmala Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Motion of Thanks passed in Lok Sabha without Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reply.

Lok Sabha adopts Motion of Thanks on President's address amid sloganeering by Opposition members

'In Parliament, Congress politicians push female MPs forward, and they stand blocking the path of the country's Prime Minister. You are not blocking the Prime Minister's path but the path of the country's development. You are evading accountability to the people.': BJP MP Dinesh Sharma

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak in Rajya Sabha around 5 pm.

'Proceedings of Lok Sabha cannot be discussed in Rajya Sabha, my esteemed colleague should know this': Union minister JP Nadda

'Parliament means Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha but Lok Sabha LoP was not allowed to speak': Mallikarjun Kharge

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey says Speaker will decide if he has violated rules

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said Speaker will decide if he has violated any rules while speaking in the House yesterday, when he showed and mentioned different books in Lok Sabha criticising Gandhi family.

"The Speaker will decide which rule I have violated. I am not Rahul Gandhi, so I would not continue to shout even after the Speaker warns. It may be that they have no respect for the Speaker, but the BJP respects the Constitution. If the Speaker thinks I should be sent out of the House, then I will obey him and not protest his order. Today again I have brought many files..." Dubey said.

Kharge, Nadda clash in Rajya Sabha over discussion on Lok Sabha proceedings

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Parliament means Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The LoP, Lok Sabha, wanted to speak on the country's interests, but was not allowed to speak. How can you run the House like this?" Union Minister JP Nadda responded by saying, "The LoP should know that the proceedings of the Lok Sabha cannot be discussed in the Rajya Sabha."

A day after chaos, Om Birla asks Opposition MPs to maintain decorum

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday asked Opposition members to maintain decorum in the House, a day after proceedings were disrupted and adjourned shortly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.

On Tuesday, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day seconds after it assembled at 5 pm amid chaos in the House. As soon as proceedings began, Congress MPs entered the well and aisles, raising slogans against the suspension of eight Opposition MPs during the ongoing Budget Session.

Several women MPs from the Opposition also blocked seats in the treasury benches, including the Prime Minister’s seat, and displayed a large banner reading “Do what is right.”

Amid the disruption, BJP MP Sandhya Rai, who was chairing the House as acting Speaker, adjourned the proceedings.

Opposition floor leaders meet Kharge, Rahul Gandhi ahead of key Parliament business

Kharge, Rahul Gandhi meet INDIA bloc floor leaders to discuss Parliament session

The Congress on Tuesday said a meeting was held between senior Opposition leaders and floor leaders of the INDIA alliance to discuss key issues related to the ongoing Parliament session.

In a post on X, the Congress said the meeting was attended by Congress president and leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

"A meeting was held with Congress peesident Mallikarjjun Kharge and leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi with the floor leaders of the INDIA alliance."

Rahul Gandhi arrives in Parliament for opposition floor leaders’ meeting