No-Confidence Motion: What’s The Hurry To Get Me Out, Says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi aggressively defended his government in Parliament after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance found itself on the backfoot amid a volley of criticism mounted by the opposition throughout the day.

In his speech replying to the no-confidence motion moved by the Telugu Desam Party and supported by opposition parties, including the Congress, Modi asked the house to repose confidence in the first single-party majority government in 30 years. “We’re witnessing negative politics that’s against development.”

This motion has been brought with the arrogant attitude of ‘Modi Hatao’, he said, questioning the need to move it without the necessary numbers.

And he took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi walking over to his seat and seeking a hug: “What’s the hurry to get me out of this seat? Only the people can do that.”

Key Highlights From Modi’s speech:

• I stand here on the record of the work done over the past four years.
• It’s important to place faith in the democratic process.
• The no-confidence motion is a “trial by one person seeking support to become the prime minister”.
• Every other government before us could’ve electrified the 18,000 villages that we did. But no one did because it did not fit in their electoral calculations.
• 2.25 lakh shell companies still under the scanner, may be closed soon.
• Congress has no confidence in itself.
• Congress has no confidence in Supreme Court, RBI, EC, CSO.
• Pray that you get strength to bring a no-confidence motion in 2024.
• Soil health card provided to 15 crore farmers.
• 120 companies manufacturing mobiles in the country now.
• Rs 41,000 crore in transactions done via digital payment systems.

On Defence, Rafale Deal

• Country suffers if comments are made without adequate information on events like Doklam.
• Can’t imagine that the truth can be twisted the way it has been on Rafale.
• Childish behaviour forced both India and France to refute comments made on Rafale deal.
• The agreement was transparent and between two governments, not private players.
• Swear at me if you want, but not at the country’s soldier.
• How dare the surgical strike be called a “Jumla strike”?

On Coalition Governments Of The Past:

• Those who claimed to have 272 in 1999 again claimed that they don’t lack numbers.
• Congress has brought down governments of Charan Singh to Chandra Shekhar, Deve Gowda and Inder Kumar Gujral.

On Rahul’s Speech And Hug

• I am a poor mother’s son, how could I make eye contact with you?
• The ‘family’ has consistently punished those that looked them in the eye.
• The country saw the game played with the eyes by the same that speak of making eye contact.
• Those filled with arrogance can never accept people like me sitting in this seat.

On Goods And Services Tax

• Keeping petroleum outside GST was a decision the UPA government took.
• Congress was unable to address the states’ concerns on GST.
• I used my experience as Gujarat CM to bring all states on board.

On AP, Naidu And Special Status

• Partition of India, partition of states are problems Congress has left for others to solve.
• Unlike the Vajpayee government, the division of Andhra Pradesh was done by the UPA government without adequate consultation.
• Telangana Rashtra Samiti approached the situation (division of Andhra Pradesh) with maturity, worked on development.
• Government bound by what’s been laid down by the 14th Finance Commission.
• The Andhra Finance Minister accepted the package that the Centre prepared in 2016.
• I told Chandrababu Naidu that he’s getting trapped in the web of YSRCP (led by Jaganmohan Reddy).
• As elections near, TDP’s praise for moves has turned into criticism.

On NPAs, Banking Crisis, Economy

• Saga of NPAs and bank loot began in 2008, carried on from 2009 to 2014.
• ‘Telephone banking’ done under UPA, loans given to favourites.
• The NPA mess was placed like a landmine for the economy by the last government.
• During UPA regime, capital goods imported at lower duty rates crossed oil imports.
• We're fixing large NPA cases with the insolvency code and the National Company Law Tribunal.
• The economy would have been in ruins had UPA retained power.
• A lot of false information is being circulated on job-creation.
• Over 6 lakh job opportunities created via lawyers, CAs and doctors alone.
• Urge people to resist the claims made on jobs by those that intend to mislead.