In a hard-hitting reply to the motion of thanks to the President's address, Modi compared the work under his "55-month" rule to the Congress' record of "55 years" in power, while making a re-election pitch in what was likely his last speech in the House before the general election.
55 years vs 55 months: Congress rule was about "satta bhog", ours about "seva bhog"
While the Congress' rule of 55 years was about "satta- bhog" (enjoying power), his government was all about "sewa bhav" (sense of service), Modi said, adding that the opposition party's main grouse against him was that he had challenged its "sultanate" and shaken it up despite coming from a poor family and being from outside Delhi.
Modi said the Congress in 2004 promised that it would make every village of the country digital but it could provide optical fibre network to just 95 villages till 2014. "During our government, 1,16,000 villages have broadband connectivity."
"In their 55 years, sanitation coverage was around 38 per cent and in our 55 months, it is nearly 98 per cent. Gas connections in their 55 years were 12 crore, it is 13 crore in 55 months. We have worked at a greater speed in our five years," the prime minister said.
He said the Congress in its manifesto in 2004 said they will provide electricity to every household and repeated the same in 2009 and 2019. “In manifestos for past three elections, you have promised to electrify every rural home. My government came and achieved it in four years," he said.
India, he said, is seeing remarkable progress in the last four years. "In all spheres, investment, steel sector, startups, milk and agriculture, aviation, India's progress is outstanding."
"We have constructed toilets for 10 crore people of the country. Also, after independence, in the 55 years, 12 crore gas connections were given and in 55 months of the NDA rule, 13 crore gas connections were given, out of which more than 6 crore were given under Ujjwala scheme."
Slams Congress for questioning and defaming country's institutions
The Prime Minister said, in a poll year leaders have compulsions to make charges but lamented that while slamming Modi and BJP, some people "start attacking India".
He alleged that the opposition's ability to listen to the truth has diminished. The Congress, he said, questioned the Election Commission and Electronic Voting Machines, but is accusing him of destroying institutions.
"Congress bullies the judiciary but Modi is destroying institutions. Congress calls Planning Commission a bunch of jokers... but Modi is destroying institutions," Modi said.
Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said for some BC stands for 'before Congress' and AD for 'after dynasty'.
Returns Rahul Gandhi's Rafale fire
Modi returned Congress President Rahul Gandhi's fire over the Rafale jet deal, saying the opposition party does not want the Air Force to be strong and questioned whether it was bidding for a company. He also accused the Congress of rendering the Army handicapped due to which it was not in a position to launch surgical strikes.
"I am levelling a serious allegation," he said. "I want to say it on the floor of Parliament that the Indian National Congress doesn't want our armed forces to be strong. They don't want our security apparatus to be strong. Which companies are they bidding for that they are acting so shamefully," he said.
Modi wondered why advanced jets were not procured for 30 years when India's neighbours were equipping themselves with latest weaponry. Taking a swipe at the Congress, he said, "They are surprised that there is a defence deal without kickbacks... they assume that a defence deal cannot happen without commission."
Not a grand alliance but a 'maha-milawat'
He also took a dig at the recent opposition rally in Kolkata organised by the Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee. "People do not want a 'mahamilavat' (adulterated) government of those who assembled in Kolkata," he said.
"A government has to work for the people of India, a government has to be sensitive to the people's aspirations. There is no room for corruption.
"We speak the truth, be it in country or outside, in Parliament or outside but your ability to listen to truth has diminished," he said, targeting the opposition.