Ahead of State Polls, Modi Takes Aim at TMC, DMK, CPI(M) in Rajya Sabha Alongside Familiar Target Congress

New Delhi: Hours after the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address was passed in the Lok Sabha without a speech by the prime minister for the first time since 2004, Narendra Modi in the Rajya Sabha took aim at the opposition.

Although his almost 90-minute long speech, like most of his other addresses, targeted the Congress, this time Modi also named the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) with assembly elections around the corner in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala while accusing the grand old party of insulting Assam, where elections are also due in a few months.

While his speech started with the opposition chanting slogans of “LoP ko bolne do” (‘let the LoP speak’) and “tanashahi nahi chalegi” (‘dictatorship cannot continue’), the opposition then staged a walkout. Modi then focused his speech on attacking the opposition, particularly naming those parties in power in states going to the polls.

“Whether it is the Congress, the TMC, the DMK or the Left, they have remained in power at the Centre for decades and have also had opportunities to run governments in the states. Now if deals are discussed, at that time they could only think of the Bofors deal. They only worked to fill their own pockets, bringing change to the lives of citizens was never their priority,” said Modi.

In his speech, Modi targeted the TMC-led government in West Bengal and went back to his oft-repeated allegation of the party protecting “ghuspaithiyan” (undocumented immigrants).

“The TMC colleagues have said a lot but they should look within themselves. An insensitive government is setting new records on every scale of decline. But they are giving us lectures here,” said Modi.

“This insensitive government has ensured that the future of the people there [West Bengal] is sinking into darkness, but they [the TMC government] don't care at all. Their only aspiration is to stay in power.”

Taking aim at chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who appeared in the Supreme Court on Wednesday against the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state, Modi accused the TMC of putting “pressure on courts”.

“Even the most prosperous countries around the world are throwing out undocumented immigrants from their countries. But in our country, pressure is being put on the courts,” he said.

“How can the youth of our country forgive those who are doing everything possible to advocate for infiltrators? These infiltrators are snatching the youth's rights, Adivasis' land and endangering their lives. But for them, women may continue to get harassed but they come here to give us lectures.”

Earlier on Thursday, Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla informed the house that he had advised Modi not to come for his scheduled speech on Wednesday as the Congress’ women MPs had gathered near his seat and that any “untoward incident” could have taken place.

While Modi made no mention of why he chose not to come, he accused the Congress of insulting the president for not allowing a discussion on the Motion of Thanks.

“The Congress insulted the president. It's shameful … Yesterday in the Lok Sabha, a discussion could not be held on the president's address. It is an insult to the office of the president. Such people have no right to speak about the constitution. They have insulted women, tribals and the top constitutional post of the country,” he said.

The Lok Sabha saw disruptions for four days. The uproar started during leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi’s speech on the Motion of Thanks, which was disrupted by the treasury benches on Monday after he was stopped from referring to excerpts from former Army chief General M.M. Naravane’s book on the Chinese incursion in August 2020.

Birla barred him from referring to Naravane’s book citing Rule 349. On Tuesday, Gandhi authenticated the book but was stopped from making his speech and eight MPs were suspended.

On Wednesday, Gandhi arrived in parliament with a copy of the book in hand and dared that he would hand it to Modi if he came to the House. Modi’s speech, scheduled for 5 pm that evening, was cancelled amid protests from opposition MPs who were seen standing with banners and placards in the well.

On Thursday, Birla said he had advised Modi not to come to the house fearing an untoward incident. Opposition parties however said that there was no threat to Modi, and he was too scared to come to the House.

Modi said that during the opposition's protests in the house they had insulted the “northeast” and Assam as BJP MP from the state Dilip Saikia was presiding over the House when papers were thrown near the chair.

“We can understand your frustration, but this was done in the temple of democracy. There was an MP from Assam in the chair and papers were thrown at him. Is this not an insult to the northeast and the people of Assam?”

Both Assam and West Bengal are slated to go to polls in a few months. Modi in his speech then moved on to Kerala, which is also going to polls and lauded nominated Rajya Sabha MP C. Sadanandan Master's speech on Monday, during which he placed his artificial limbs on the table and attributed their use to an attack by workers of the CPI(M) in Kerala three decades ago.

“Our respected Sadanand ji, Master, had both his legs amputated due to political hatred. In the prime of his youth, both his legs were cut off, and he has been living his life with artificial limbs. Yet his values are so high that not a single abusive word comes from his mouth, and his conduct reflects dignity and pride,” said Modi.

“Yesterday, when he was delivering his maiden speech in this House, after seeking your permission, he placed his artificial limbs on the bench. That sight was  painful for the nation. I salute Master Sadanand ji, who, even after such a horrific attack has continued his vow to serve the nation and is today contributing to the shaping of the country’s policies.”

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