New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, even as Opposition members raised slogans and disrupted proceedings.
Speaking in the House, the PM said the past few years had marked a period of rapid development and wide-ranging change across the country. “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 every section of society. The country is going ahead in the right direction at a fast pace,” he said.
His remarks came as Opposition MPs staged a walkout.
On February 4 (Wednesday), the PM was scheduled to reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha around 5 pm. However, the House witnessed chaos due to protests by Opposition MPs, especially women members from the Congress and other parties.
Many Opposition MPs entered the well of the House, moved towards the treasury benches and surrounded the Prime Minister’s seat while holding banners and raising slogans. The protest was over issues such as the India–US trade deal, controversial remarks made by a BJP MP and the demand that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi be allowed to complete his speech.
Later, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he had advised the Prime Minister not to enter the House. He cited inputs about possible unruly or unpleasant behaviour by Opposition members, which could have led to ugly scenes or raised security concerns. Government sources claimed there were fears of a physical confrontation near the Prime Minister’s seat.