With the most awaited response in the national political circle, PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday opened a strategic response to Rahul Gandhi’s speech as the leader of the opposition. On its face value, the 2-hour-long speech might seem not as harsh as Raga’s attack on the government made on Monday, but it is indeed a well-thought speech that the PM delivered when facing continuous sloganeering and disruptions at the hands of the opposition.
We still hope the democratic balance is kept intact in the parliament but it doesn’t seem to happen so far. Rather the opposition has been howling in the parliament showing as much disrespect as they can to the PM chair.
Well, let us look at how things went far in the speech of Narendra Modi:
1. Modi puts his point first before answering to others
For approximately 40 minutes, Narendra Modi, without being wobbled by the noise of the opposition, kept on stating the achievements of 10 years of governance by the NDA to ensure this goes on the parliamentary record as a statement maker rather than a reactor (being in the shoes of the head of the government). This detailed discussion on government achievements aimed to inform but might have tested listeners’ patience.
2. Digs on Rahul Gandhi; classic but tiresome to revisit
Narendra Modi metaphorically explained how Rahul Gandhi’s so-called moral conquest is like pampering the “Baalak Buddhi” by citing a few examples that used to be funny back in 2019 when Rahul was perceived as a starter by the masses. This time, it might sound funny but the juice is running out, as Rahul supporters have their counters ready while BJP supporters have had enough of it. The only notable addition was when the PM said that these actions should not be tolerated but taken seriously.
3. Attacking Congress for the past is now a Broken Record
Every time, when attacked for the BJP’s failure, be it based even on a false narrative, the leaders can’t hold themselves back but jump into the past with what Mr. Nehru or Mrs. Indira Gandhi did as damage to the nation. Certainly, those points cannot be forgotten, but is the relevant audience truly interested anymore?
A few notable mentions made by PM Modi do include the comparison of Congress with an “Aadamkhor” (Wild and blood-thirsty) animal who’s caught the taste of lies (like that of blood) and uses untruth as a political tool to manage instability among the masses.
Another mention was PM Modi’s clear warning to the ecosystem fed and raised by the Congress, which will receive tit-for-tat from now on. He said this looking at the opposition benches and it can truly be a point of concern to check what he means by the same.
4. Uncovering the INDI alliance cracks was well-thought
Mention of the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, as a counter to constitution being saved by the Congress is a ball that cannot be dodged easily by the alliance. Another mention of how Congress humiliated Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is also an attempt to put a dent in Dalit supporters who vote for Congress. This is a double-sided sword in the hands of Congress but was yielded by the PM yesterday. Time will tell about how well it worked.
5. Hinduism at the centre of the table
After Rahul Gandhi’s derogatory remarks mixing Hindus with his political opponents and calling them the mongers of hate, PM Modi did not stop clapping back with essential digs that include the demeaning statements made by Udayanidhi Stalin when he compared Sanatan Dharma to Dengue and Malaria. Also, the remarks made were condemned and linked with the dignity of Hindus but the attack didn’t have the aggression that we hoped for. It was a chance to rip the opposition apart but we believe it is part of the plan to go soft on the lines of anti-Hindutva, for the BJP. The truth will be out soon.
6. Rajyasabha – Opposition walks out; Modi becomes unstoppable
Today, in Rajyasabha, the PM started his speech but was interrupted by Mr Kharge which followed direct schooling by the speaker. This might have hurt but was in the best interest of the senior house. It led to the opposition’s walkout and finally, the sloganeering stopped. PM Modi kept pricking rightfully when the walkout happened and later continued firing shots, this time with an accelerated start.
7. Development gets the first spot; politics second.
Rajyasabha witnessed a similar pattern of the speech with notable mentions of developmental works including farmer’s welfare, fertilizer subsidies, inclusivity of PBTG and transgender community, women-led development and other features.
PM Modi also pressed on issues that involve ease of living in India followed by how the government’s role in a common man’s life needs to be reduced significantly. He also promoted millet cultivation, linking it to farmers’ prosperity and global nutritional trends. Modi urged states to attract more foreign investments in healthy competition, highlighting India’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
8. Political allies and entanglements took the stage
Cleverly put, PM Modi addressed the house by explaining the horrors of emergency and its associated outcomes targeting allies to rethink their stance on Congress – the epitome of dictatorship. PM mentioned in a question about how prominent leaders like Mulayam Singh were victims of emergency but still their parties had hand in hand with the oppressor.
Serious incidences of violence against women in West Bengal including Sandeshkhali or Dinajpur where a couple was beaten up in public were also brought up attaching it with the selective politics of allies who keep mum when it’s time to talk. A similar dig was taken at AAP, where Congress filed corruption charges against AAP leaders and provided proof but later on made an alliance. It is important to note that these were all questions that made the allies answerable to their choices. Let us see what the opposition comes up with.
9. PM’s take on Manipur and North-east is out again.
The PM discussed the situation in Manipur, stating that both the Union Home Minister and the State Home Minister have been actively involved on the ground. He mentioned that the current primary issue is flooding, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) actively responding.
The PM urged against inciting further unrest, pointing out that the President’s Rule was imposed there ten times in the past and referencing a five-year-long struggle in 1993 due to similar incidents. He assured that efforts are ongoing to establish peace and stability in the state.
Talking about the Northeast, he highlighted the importance of the Northeast region, mentioning the significant work done in terms of connectivity, infrastructure, stability, border issues, and tackling armed militancy to ensure the region’s development and integration with the rest of the country.
10. Regulations not missed but asserted
The PM did not forget to address the concerns of national importance involving aspirants of NEET and other paper leaks or re-exams that are scheduled. Acknowledging the fact that it has damaged the hope of millions of young students, the PM underlined the implementation of strict laws against paper leakers and the government’s focus on earnest implementation.
To conclude, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches in both houses covered a wide range of topics, from development to political strategies and historical references. As he navigates India’s political landscape, addressing challenges and promoting initiatives, the question remains: Did Modi give it back to Rahul Gandhi in his comprehensive response? We think he did NOT.
We have attached what Rahul Gandhi said in his speech on Monday. Click here to read the highlights. The aggression with which Rahul Gandhi attacked the government, needed a befitting response but this was rather a strategic take which we wait to unfold as time ticks.
Let us know in the comments what you think of these politically loaded guns!
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