'If Nehru Was So Great, Why Fear Using His Surname': PM Modi's Stinging Attack On Gandhi Family

Launching a stinging attack at Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the grand old party only engaged in 'tokenism' and created hurdles in development of the country.

In a blistering attack on the Gandhi family, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked why none of them use the Nehru surname despite the Congress launching over 600 schemes in the name of "Nehru and Gandhi". Responding to a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi accused the Congress of adopting only "tokenism" to solving problems the country faced.

"Some had problems with names of schemes of govt and Sanskrit words in the names. I read in a report that 600 government schemes were in the Gandhi-Nehru family's name. If Nehru was such a great person, why the family shies away from using 'Nehru' surname," PM Modi said in Rajya Sabha as Opposition members trooped in the Well of the House raising slogans of "Modi-Adani bhai-bhai".

The Budget session of Parliament has been marred by ruckus ever since US short-seller Hindenburg Research accused Adani Group of stock manipulation and accounting fraud. The Adani Group has denied any wrongdoing and has threatened to sue Hindenburg.

The Opposition has demanded a joint parliamentary committee probe on the allegations against the Adani Group.

Continuing his broadside against Congress, PM Modi said former prime minister Indira Gandhi "misused" Article 356 of Constitution 50 times to dismiss elected state governments.

"Which party and people in power misused Article 356? Elected govts were toppled 90 times. Who were those who did that? A Prime Minister used Article 356 fifty times and that name is Indira Gandhi. In Kerala, a Communist govt was elected which wasn't liked by Pandit Nehru and was toppled," the PM said.

"In Tamil Nadu too, govts of veterans like MGR and Karunanidhi were dismissed by Congress. Sharad Pawar's govt was toppled too. We have seen what happened with NTR when he was in US for treatment and attempts were made to topple his govt," PM Modi said.

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The Prime Minister further said the Congress never tried to find a permanent solution to the country's problems.

"I found that in 60 years, Congress had dug potholes everywhere. They wasted six decades. During that time, even smaller nations were touching the pinnacle of success," he said.

"They (Congress) used to say 'Gareebi Hatao' but did nothing for over four decades. While we work hard to meet the expectations and aspirations of the people of the country," PM Modi added.