New Delhi, Jan 7: Replying to the debate on motion of thanks to the President, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack against the Congress, accusing it of playing politics at the cost of national interest.

Blaming the erstwhile government led by Dr Manmohan Singh of "wrongfully" dividing the undivided Andhra Pradesh, Modi said the state's partition is the reason behind the financial issues being faced by Seemandhra over the past four years.

"We wish the best for Telangana. The Centre will completely assist the state in its path of development. But what has happened with Andhra is due to the hasty division of the state," Modi said.

The remarks of the Prime Minister came in the backdrop of Andhra's ruling party and BJP ally TDP marking its dissent over the lack of funds allocated to the state in the Union Budget for 2018-19.

"When it comes to partition," Modi continued, "It is the legacy of Congress. Even in 1947, when there was no Opposition at all in the nation, it was the Congress which allowed undivided India to get divided," the PM told the Lok Sabha, amid vociferous protest by the Congress MPs.

"The country would had charted a different course, had the nation being led by Sardar Vallabhai Patel. Entire Kashmir would have been ours, if Sardar would had presided over the (first) government," Modi added.

As the Opposition continued to chant "jumlebaazi bandh karo (stop the empty rhetoric)", Modi issued a sharp retort saying, "Our work speaks for ourselves."

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the PM said, a total of 4000 cities have been equipped with affordable houses, as opposed to the erstwhile government which provided low-price accommodations in 1000 cities.

Modi further highlighted the steps taken by his government to connect all parts of the nation. "Under the previous government, 11-km of roadways was being built daily," the PM said, adding that his government is building 28-km of roads per day.

The Prime Minister, while replying to the jibe of Opposition lawmakers on unemployment, said, "Those who are questioning us on employment, why don't they question the states of West Bengal, Kerala and Karnataka? These states are not ruled by BJP or any allies of the NDA. How much jobs have they created?"

Modi said his government is not only providing job opportunities for the masses, but also encouraging the youth to take up entrepreneurship.  "Employment is increasing but you have closed your eyes as you are busy singing your songs. Atal ji ne kaha hai ‘chhote mann se koi bada nahi hota aur toote mann se koi khada nahi hota’," he added, quoting former PM and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 07, 2018 12:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).