Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his confidence in returning to power for a third consecutive term after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, marking the continuation of his government for another five years. Addressing the Rajya Sabha during a debate on a motion thanking President Droupadi Murmu’s address to Parliament, Modi made bold statements about his government’s enduring legacy and future plans. His remarks were met with both applause from the treasury benches and protests from the Opposition, culminating in a walkout by Opposition MPs.
Modi’s Confidence in a Long-Term Future
In his speech, Modi boasted about his government’s electoral victories, stating that the return of the same government after ten years is a rare event in Indian democracy. “What can be a bigger truth than the fact that we have completed 10 years and 20 more are left,” Modi said, emphasizing that his government has already achieved one-third of its envisioned journey, with two-thirds still remaining.
This comment was a direct retort to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s earlier jibe in which he mockingly referred to Modi as a “one-third Prime Minister,” suggesting that the BJP-led government might share power in rotation with its coalition partners, Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu.
Opposition Walkout and Slogans
As Modi’s speech progressed, the Opposition benches erupted in protest, raising slogans and eventually staging a walkout from the Upper House. This move prompted criticism from Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, while Modi dismissed the walkout with mockery, claiming that the Opposition was “running away” after being defeated in the political arena.
Opposition MPs, particularly from Congress, later explained the walkout as a protest against the government not allowing Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to speak. Congress MP Rajeev Shukla condemned the move, stating, “There has been a tradition that the Leader of Opposition is allowed to speak. But now, the trend is changing, and the Leader of the Opposition is being denied that opportunity.”
PM Modi’s Key Points: Achievements and Vision
Despite the walkout, Modi continued his address, touching upon his government’s achievements and outlining plans for the future. He portrayed the 2024 electoral victory as a rejection of Opposition propaganda, claiming that voters had chosen to believe in his government’s performance over the “politics of illusion.” Referring to the Opposition’s INDIA bloc, Modi said the public had rejected “bhram ki rajneeti” (politics of illusion) and instead embraced “bharose ki rajneeti” (politics of trust).
1. India’s Economic Growth:
Modi expressed optimism about India’s economic trajectory, predicting that the country would soon become the third-largest economy in the world. He emphasized that this growth would have far-reaching benefits not only for India but also globally. “A positive impact will be seen on every aspect, not only in India, but also across the world,” he stated.
2. Role of Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities:
The Prime Minister highlighted the growing role of tier-2 and tier-3 cities as future growth engines, noting that his government envisions an unprecedented emergence of Indian companies, startups, and industries on the global stage.
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3. Public Transport Transformation:
Modi also touched on the government’s ambitious plans to overhaul the public transport system in the next five years. “This century is a tech-driven century. We’ll soon see new footprints in new sectors,” he said, alluding to technological advancements that would shape India’s future infrastructure.
Modi’s Sharp Criticism of the Opposition
The Prime Minister did not hold back in his criticism of the Congress-led Opposition. Mocking their claims that India’s rise to the third-largest economy was inevitable, Modi derided the Opposition’s “scholars” for being accustomed to running a “remote control government in autopilot mode.” This was a veiled reference to the Congress party’s past governance style, which the BJP has often criticized as being controlled from behind the scenes.
In a sharp dig at Rahul Gandhi, Modi expressed amazement at the Congress leader’s newfound habit of carrying a copy of the Constitution. He reminded the House that Congress had initially opposed his decision to celebrate Constitution Day on November 26, questioning the party’s newfound respect for constitutional values.
Opposition’s Response to the Walkout
Following the walkout, Congress leaders defended their actions. Rajeev Shukla clarified that the walkout was not just a protest against Modi’s speech but also in response to Kharge being denied a chance to speak. “It is wrong, and that is why Opposition MPs walked out of the House,” he said, adding that this denial was against the tradition of allowing the Leader of the Opposition to address the House during important debates.
Prime Minister Modi’s speech in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday showcased his confidence in his government’s future and its ability to continue leading India for decades to come. While the Opposition staged a walkout in protest, Modi remained unfazed, focusing on the narrative of trust and performance that, according to him, continues to define his government’s relationship with the electorate. As political tensions escalate in the run-up to the 2024 elections, the debate highlighted the widening rift between the ruling BJP and the Opposition, signaling an intense battle ahead.
