PM Modi Takes Swipes at Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal, Highlights Focus on Development
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, took indirect jabs at opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal. Modi used the occasion to emphasize his government’s commitment to real development and uplifting the poor, contrasting it with what he described as the opposition’s superficial actions.
Without explicitly naming Rahul Gandhi, Modi criticized those who, according to him, indulge in photo opportunities in the huts of poor people for their entertainment. He remarked that such individuals would naturally find discussions about the welfare of the underprivileged in Parliament “boring.”
This comment was in response to an incident on January 31, shortly after President Droupadi Murmu delivered her address to the joint session of Parliament. Rahul Gandhi was reportedly overheard asking his mother, Sonia Gandhi if the speech was “boring” while discussing it with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Parliament complex.
In another veiled swipe, this time aimed at Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Modi remarked that some leaders are preoccupied with luxury amenities like jacuzzis and stylish showers. In contrast, he stressed that his government is dedicated to ensuring access to necessities like water for every household.
During his speech, Modi highlighted the tangible progress made under his government, claiming it delivered on real development rather than empty slogans. “For decades, we heard slogans like ‘garibi hatao’ (eradicate poverty), but now, 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty,” he asserted.
The Prime Minister also mentioned his government’s efforts in providing housing for the underprivileged. “Four crore houses have been built for poor families so far. Only someone who has lived in poverty can understand the significance of having a proper roof over their head,” he said, underscoring the impact of his government’s initiatives.
Modi further criticized the opposition for failing to grasp the struggles of the poor. “The pain of the poor and the challenges faced by the common man cannot be understood casually—it requires passion and empathy. Unfortunately, some just don’t have it,” he said, in a clear swipe at his political opponents.
Modi also expressed his gratitude to the people for allowing him to respond to the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha 14 times. He said the speech by the President had inspired the country and reinforced the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India).
Concluding his remarks, Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring meaningful development that positively impacts the lives of ordinary citizens, setting his administration apart from what he described as the opposition’s shallow rhetoric.
