PM Modi Lok Sabha Speech: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address on Tuesday, making notable remarks on his third term and the recent Lok Sabha election result. He noted that the people had given him the opportunity to serve the nation for the third time. Amidst opposition sloganeering, PM Modi expressed gratitude to the first-time MPs for their commendable conduct and participation in the debate.
"Several MPs expressed their views on the President's address yesterday and earlier today. I would like to express my gratitude to the first-time MPs who expressed their views on the President's address while following all the rules of the House," PM Modi said.
Amidst opposition sloganeering, PM Modi remarked that the INDIA bloc parties faced crushing defeat.
Reflecting on the recent electoral process, PM Modi remarked, "The country has crossed a successful election campaign and showed the world that this was the world's biggest election campaign, in which people of the country have chosen us. I can understand the pain of some people that despite speaking lies, they faced crushing defeat."
The session saw Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reprimanding Opposition MPs for creating a ruckus and raising slogans during the Prime Minister's address.
PM Modi Slams UPA Govt Over Scams, Response To Terrorism
PM Modi elaborated on the state of the nation before his government took office in 2014. "In 2014, our people had lost their confidence, and the nation was in depths of despair. When we lose our self-confidence, it becomes difficult for the nation to stand on its own. Before 2014, people used to say that nothing will change in this country. We only used to read about corruption in newspapers those days," he said.
He highlighted the pervasive corruption of the previous era, stating, "There was a period of scams when it was shamelessly accepted publicly that if 1 rupee is sent from Delhi, only 15 paise reaches. In 1 rupee, there is a scam of 85 paise. This world of scams had drowned the country in the depths of despair. There was policy paralysis, we were in the fragile 5. If a poor person wanted to buy a house, he had to give a bribe of thousands of rupees. For a gas connection, people had to make rounds to the MPs, and even then, they did not get a gas connection."
"For a gas connection, people had to visit MPs, and even then, they could not get it without a bribe. Free ration was not available for weeks; bribe had to be given for that too. Most of our brothers and sisters had become so disappointed that they were forced to live by blaming their fate," PM Modi added.
He also addressed the issue of terrorism before 2014, "There was a time before 2014 when terrorists could come and attack wherever they wanted. Innocent people were killed, every corner of India was targeted, and the governments used to sit quietly. After 2014, India strikes back inside their homes."
PM Modi On Article 370 and Jammu & Kashmir
PM Modi took a jibe at the Opposition regarding Article 370, "Those who worshipped Article 370 and played vote bank politics made Jammu and Kashmir suffer. The people of Jammu and Kashmir were stripped of their rights. The Constitution of India could not enter J-K. Those who danced with the Constitution on their heads did not dare to implement it in J-K, insulting BR Ambedkar. During the era of Article 370, stones were thrown at our forces, and people said nothing could be done about J-K. Today, the wall of Article 370 has fallen, stone-pelting has stopped, democracy is strong, and people trust the Constitution and the tricolour, coming out in large numbers to vote."
PM Modi Emphasises Zero Tolerance Towards Corruption
PM Modi reiterated his government's stance on corruption, stating, "When we came to power in 2014, we had said that we will have zero tolerance towards corruption. Corruption had ravaged the country like termites. However, the countrymen have blessed us for our zero tolerance approach to corruption."
Highlighting India's growing global stature, he said, "Today, India's credibility has increased across the world... The sole aim of our every policy, every decision, every action has been India first."
"Our one and only target is 'nation first', 'India first'. Each of our policies, our decisions and our work have been on one scale - 'India first'. In the last 10 years, our government has been working with the objective of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'. This country has seen politics of appeasement for a long time; this country has seen a model of governance of appeasement for a long time. We have moved forward with the idea of 'santushtikaran' (satisfaction), not appeasement," PM Modi emphasised.
Assuring the nation, he added, "I assure the countrymen that we have taken the resolution of Viksit Bharat and we will make efforts to fulfil that resolution. We will do it with full dedication and honesty and will spend every moment of our time to fulfil this resolution."
"We will take our success to the next level. Our challenge is to further speed up the pace of progress. In the third term, we will work with three times more strength and speed and bring three times more results."