New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a combative and wide-ranging speech in the Rajya Sabha amid persistent sloganeering and a walkout by Opposition members, using the platform to target the Congress and other parties over governance failures, corruption allegations, and what he described as attempts to “protect infiltrators.”
The Prime Minister said a major portion of the NDA government’s time over the past decade had gone into correcting the “mistakes of the past,” arguing that previous regimes had left India in a damaged state that hurt global confidence. His remarks came a day after his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address could not be delivered in the Lok Sabha due to protests.
During the debate, Modi also took aim at the Trinamool Congress, DMK, Left parties and the Aam Aadmi Party, accusing them of poor governance in states they rule, while contrasting it with what he called the NDA’s focus on reforms, infrastructure and global engagement. He highlighted welfare schemes for small farmers, infrastructure projects in the Northeast, and India’s expanding footprint in global trade and diplomacy.
Top quotes from PM Modi’s Rajya Sabha speech
- Today, the country is being governed on the basis of policy and strategy. Global trust in India is growing.
- This Congress party has also betrayed farmers.
- Prosperous nations of the world are driving out illegal residents from their country. But in our country, pressure is being put on the courts. How can the youth of our nation forgive such people who are using everything possible to advocate for the infiltrators?”
- One of the MPs was saying a lot of things. His entire government is drowning in liquor. Their ‘sheeshmahal’ became a reason for hatred in every household…Be it Congress, TMC, DMK, Left – they were in power at the Centre for decades. They were also in power in states. But during their time, Bofors was mentioned when deals were discussed.”
- I am speaking about Assam, and no one should think that I am saying this because of elections. I am compelled to speak because of their (Opposition) failures. The Congress only imagines things; it has little to do with implementation. The Bogibeel bridge project in Assam was stalled for many years. Through a focus on progress, we reviewed it and completed a major project that has become a significant facility not just for Assam but for the entire Northeast.”
- I heard the discussion, I felt that the level of discussion should have been a little higher, especially from that side (Opposition side). They have been part of the government for years. The level of discussion from that side should have been a little higher. But they lost even this opportunity.”
- 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.
- Today, India is a trusted partner of several nations and we are playing our role towards welfare of the world.
- India is signing future-ready trade deals with several countries. In the past few days, we signed trade deals with 9 big and important countries of the world.
- The first quarter of the 21st century has completed. But this second quarter is decisive just like the second quarter of India’s freedom struggle in the last century was.