Modi tears into Cong, mocks ‘childish’ Rahul

NEW DELHI: Hitting out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a blistering rebuttal, accused Gandhi of arrogance, negativity, childish conduct and a burning desire to become PM, even as he mocked him for gesturing him to stand from the seat before the now-famous hug, saying the Congress leader was in a hurry to unseat him and grab the PM's chair, as he dubbed the no-trust vote an act of "arrogance".
Modi replied to the debate on no-confidence motion, moved by TDP's Jayadev Galla, against the government in the Lok Sabha, said the Congress lacked self-confidence and had no faith in Chief Justice of India, Election Commission, Electronic Voting Machines, Reserve Bank of India and programmes like Swachh Bharat.

During his nearly one-and-half hour long reply to the Congress leader's hug-capped scathing attack, Modi also took a dig at the Congress president's apparent post-hug wink in Parliament saying the entire nation saw what the eyes did today, as he made gestures with his hands and eyes to show Gandhi's action.

Modi highlighted the work done by his government for different sections including farmers, youth, women and weaker sections to boost BJP's prospects in the state elections later this year and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Modi also dared the Opposition to bring a no-confidence motion against his government again in 2024 -- a remark seen as his confidence in returning to power next year -- as he gave a point-by-point retort to the charges levelled by Gandhi.

Gandhi's hug to Modi and the subsequent 'wink' after coming back to his seat prompted a furious discussion about the appropriateness of his actions, even as the Modi government won the trust vote by 325-126 votes after a 12-hour long debate.

Modi said only the 125 crore people of the country can decide who would sit in the prime minister's chair or who can be unseated.

"What is the hurry," Modi said, while referring to Gandhi's hand gestures when he came across to PM's chair and hugged him during the non-confidence motion debate.

Modi looked nonplussed initially and did not stand up, but recovered quickly and called Gandhi back and patted him on the back.

In another swipe at Gandhi's apparent slip of tongue in saying that the prime minister could not see him eye-to-eye, Modi said, "You are a 'naamdaar' (known by name) and I am 'kaamdar' (known by work). I cannot dare see you eye-to-eye."

The prime minister went on to list names of leaders like Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Chandra Shekhar and Pranab Mukherjee who he said tried to see eye-to-eye with the Congress and the result is known to everyone.

Replying to barbs of Gandhi, Modi said he is "kaamdar" and "not a naamdar" and could not see him in the eye.

"They have confidence in nothing. Today the nation has seen the negativity expressed by some members. India saw how some people are so deeply opposed to development. What we saw among members of the opposition was sheer arrogance. The only thing they have to say-remove Modi. To remove one Modi, see who all they are trying to bring together," he said.

Modi, who was loudly cheered by treasury benches, attacked Gandhi over his remarks on Doklam stand off with China and the Rafale fighter jet deal with France.

"One of the leaders spoke about Doklam. The same leader, who believed the Chinese Ambassador over our forces. What have we come to? Everything does not merit a childish conduct. Due to one careless allegation in the House on Rafale, both nations had to release statements. My appeal to the Congress is please do not bring politics in national security," the Prime Minister said.

He alleged the Congress had described the surgical strike of 2016 as "jumla strike". "We have seen how the Army chief was insulted by their leaders. You have called surgical strike a jumla strike, the country will not forgive you. You can abuse Modi but not the forces. Stop insulting the jawans of India," he said.

In his reply, Modi asked all Lok Sabha members to dismiss the non-confidence motion, which he said was driven by arrogance and Congress' attempt to test its own probable allies.

"Arrogance is behind the no confidence motion," Modi said and hit out at the Congress, saying this is not the floor test of the government but a "force" test of the main opposition party and its so-called allies.

Modi said the NDA government has done several things for the benefit of the people, but the opposition does not believe in the facts. "We are taking steps for doubling the income of farmers by 2022," he said.

The prime minister said the opposition, especially the Congress does not trust the Chief Justice of India, the Election Commission and the electronic voting machines.

He said "those who dont have confidence in themselves, cannot trust anyone."

"I pray to God to give you the strength to bring a no- confidence motion in 2024 also. My best wishes are with you", Modi said.

Modi, who spoke for nearly 90 minutes alos attacked UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi over her remarks on Wednesday that the opposition had the numbers in the no-confidence vote.

"See her arrogance. I was reminded about 1999 when she stood outside Rashtrapati Bhavan and said-we have 272 and more are joining us. She destabilized Atal Ji's government and never formed one herself," he said.

He blamed the Congress for the huge non-performing assets of banks, saying that loans disbursed had increased to Rs 52 lakh crore during UPA rule.
"I want to tell you about the NPA problem. Much before Internet Banking, Congress Party invented Phone Banking and this caused the NPA mess. A phone call would get loans for their cronies and the nation suffered," he said.

Referring to the triple talaq bill, Modi said the government stands with the Muslim women in their quest for justice.

He also condemned mob lynchings and said any instance of violence brings shame to the nation. "I will once again urge the state governments to punish those who indulge in violence."

Modi said India is seeing the record pace of work in various sectors such as roads and railways.

He said the major opposition party had brought the no-trust motion "to spread instability in the country."

"Had it not been your arrogance, and had you understood the problems of the states, GST would have been implemented five years ago," the Prime Minister said.

He blamed the Congress for division of the country at the time of the independence, as also for division of Andhra Pradesh in a manner which had left the people there unhappy.

Modi said the NDA government is committed towards the development of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

He said the government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee had created Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

"It was done peacefully. These states are prospering ... The Congress divided Andhra Pradesh and their conduct then was shameful," he said.