PM Modi attacks Congress in Lok Sabha; Rahul says Modi forgot he is PM and not Leader of Opposition

Replying in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday to the motion of thanks on President's address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mostly attacked the Congress, alleging that the country has been suffering due to the "wrong" policies it has pursued since independence and that the party has spent time singing paeans to one family instead of focusing on people's welfare.

Modi also criticised the opposition party over bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, alleging that it did so only for "political" considerations without any preparation for which the people were facing hardships, amidst protests by Congress members who shouted slogans seeking justice for Andhra Pradesh.

Modi said Partition was result of the Congress' wrong policies. "Not a single day has passed when the country has not suffered due to the posion sowed by you," he added.

Had Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel been the first Prime Minister, a part of Kashmir would not have been under control of Pakistan, he said.

The prime minister said Opposition has the right to protest but not disrupt.

Rahul hits back, asks why the Prime Minster was silent on the Rafale deal

Congress President Rahul Gandhi gave a scathing reply to the PM’s speech. “I can understand that you talk about [past] 70 years. But, today the BJP rules the country. The NDA government rules the county. Perhaps Modi ji has forgotten that he is the Prime Minister of the country, not the leader of the opposition,” he said.

Rahul further questioned Modi’s silence on the Rafale aircraft deal, on which Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman this week invoked the secrecy clause. “Questions on Rafale deal are being asked. Questions are being asked regarding future of the farmers and employment, but he is not responding. Instead, He is talking about the Congress party,” said the Congress president.

The 47-year-old leader said that the country needed answers from the Prime Minister, and the Parliament wasn’t the right place to take on the Opposition. “He can talk about the Congress party, but Parliament is not the right place for it. You can talk about Congress in public meetings. Here, you are expected to answer the country. You cannot ask the questions. You have to answer the nation, and nation is asking you questions regarding the future of farmers, how will you generate two crore jobs every year? Has there been any corruption in Rafale deal—yes or no?” asked Rahul

With inputs from PTI

This article was updated at 4 pm on February 7, 2018 to incorporate a longer YouTube video of Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s reaction to the Prime Minister’s speech