Prime Minister Narendra Modi on No-Confidence Motion in Lok Sabha: Takes Jibe at Rahul's Hug, Says 'People' in Hurry to Get To PM Seat & Special Package Better Than Special Status; Speech Highlights

New Delhi, July 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in the No-Confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, responded to the charges made by the opposition and started by congratulating the Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. The Prime Minister said that the No- Confidence Motion proposed by the TDP is a step in strengthening the democracy. The Prime Minister said that everyone should reject the motion and that few people are in a hurry to get to the seat of Prime Minister. Follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on the No-Confidence Motion from the Lok Sabha here.

The Prime Minister appealed all to reject the No-Confidence Motion so that the first party that has got the majority can keep doing the work it can. He added that the  No-Confidence Motion has revealed the real, negative faces of the opposition parties. He also elaborated on what must be the reason for bringing in the No-Confidence Motion despite falling short of the majority.

PM Modi reiterated his government's commitment to ensuring basic facilities are made available in all the parts of the country and also the North Eastern states. Talking about the reforms brought by his government in the field of banking through Jan Dhan Yojana and also emphasized the facilities provided by Centre to women through Ujjwala Yojana. Citing the Aayushman card scheme, PM Modi recounted the social welfare schemes undertaken by the government.

The Prime Minister said that the problem of lack of urea in agriculture has been reduced enormously, and said that more than Rs 55,000 crores have been distributed through welfare schemes.

Talking about the LED bulbs, he said that the same LED bulbs which used to be sold for over Rs 400 are now being sold for Rs 40-50. He said that 120 mobile companies are in India currently as compared to just five in the Congress era. He said that more than 10,000 start-ups exist in India and narrated the challenges behind starting the Made in India initiative.

The Prime Minister said that in the Global Competitive Index, India has improved by 32 ranks. He said that the opposition refuses to believe anything good done by the government. He credited the 125 crore Indians for making India the 6th largest economy.

PM Modi added that more shell companies were shut in the current government's rule than ever. He also spoke on the Benami Properties seized and called it an achievement.

The Prime Minister said that lack of belief is the basis of all Congress activities. He said that the Congress doesn't believe in anything and named Yoga Day, Swachh Bharat Mission, and other such schemes and programmes introduced by his government.

Countering the charges on Doklam stand-off between India and China, Prime Minister Modi said that people who don't understand such issues must not speak on it. He alleged that the same people who spoke on Doklam met Chinese officials.

Talking on the Rafale issue, PM Modi said that such tactics and childish acts will only hurt the security of India. He said that both the countries-- India and France-- had to issue an official statement because of Rahul Gandhi's childish behaviour and comment in the Lok Sabha.

Raising an objection to the language used for the Army chief, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that calling surgical strike a Jumla Strike" is shameful and must be condemned.

The Prime Minister accused the Congress of Vote ke Badle (vote for note) strategy. Responding to Rahul Gandhi's charge of not being able to look 'eye into eye' with him, the Prime Minister said Pranab Mukherjee, who tried to do that, was insulted. The Prime Minister called himself a Kaamdaar - working person and said that hence we cannot look into your (Rahul's) eyes, as you are a Naamdaar- referring to his family background.

The Prime Minister said that "Yes, we are chokidaar too and bhaagidaar (participant) as well but bhaagidaar in the happiness and development of the people." He said that the Congress has only one mantra (rule): "Either we (Congress) will be in power or there will be anarchy."

PM Modi accused the Congress of disrespecting Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and said that the very same people now sing songs in his praises. He once again attacked the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty and said that for Congress, the well being of the family is primary.

He also read out the comment made by P Chidambaram during the confidence vote of Deve Gowda's government. PM Modi called Telugu his mother and spoke about the partition of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Speaking on the topic of Special Category Status, PM Modi said that Special Package is better than the Special Status.

The Prime Minister also said that the TRS showed maturity as it accepted the special package and focussed on Telangana's Vikas (development). The Prime Minister claimed that his government has empowered the farmers by increasing the MSP- Minimum Support Price for crops.

Earlier, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, speaking in the No-Confidence Motion had attacked the Narendra Modi led NDA government on a number of issues especially on the Rafale deal and election promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister said that the opposition was spreading lies in the name of employment and said that the NDA government is doing its best for generating jobs. He also told the states to take strict action against lynching.

The TDP has moved the No-Confidence motion against the BJP led NDA government, over the issue of Andhra Pradesh not getting the Special Category Status (SCS). N. Chandrababu Naidu led TDP has been on the offensive against the Modi government and has said that injustice has been done with the people of Andhra Pradesh. TDP MP Jaydev Galla, speaking on the No-Confidence Motion, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to keep his promise. The Prime Minister, in his long and extensive reply, tried his best to highlight the achievements of his government and also made an attempt to pacify the TDP Members of Parliament by saying that the welfare of Andhra Pradesh is in the benefit of India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2018 09:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).