New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a spirited defence of his government’s policies including the demonetization drive in Lok Sabha on Tuesday and took a dig at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for his “earthquake" remarks saying the tremors reached Delhi finally.
Coming hours after Delhi and parts of north India experienced a mild earthquake, Modi’s quip was a riposte to Rahul Gandhi who had earlier said that if he speaks in Parliament an earthquake would follow.
“Bhukamp aa hi gaya, koi to kaaran hoga, dharti maa rooth gayi hongi… Aakhir bhukamp aaya kyun,jab koi scam mein bhi seva, namrata ka bhaav dekhta hai to dharti maa bhi dukhi ho jaati hai aur bhukamp aata hai (Finally the tremors were felt. Mother Earth might have been upset. When they see service even in scams, Mother Earth beomes sad and tremours are felt)," he said to loud cheer from Treasury benches.
Delivering his replying to President Pranab Mukherjee's address, Modi also defended the numerous tinkerings done with monetary guidelines after the demonetization drive announced on November 8 by wondering aloud why the previous UPA government had to bring in 1035 changes even in a popular programme like MNREGA.
Modi defended demonetisation, saying the economy was in good shape and that’s why India could cope with the note ban. “I have observed that the economy has now come to track after demonetization. Technology has helped us to catch black money holders. Note ban timing was perfect," the PM said.
He also questioned the Opposition’s commitment in fighting corruption and blackmoney and asked why did the Congress sit on the Benami Property law made in 1988. “Who did Congress want to protect by not notifying Benami Property Act?" he asked.
Modi also attacked the Opposition on the ruckus created in Parliament on demonetization. “I was always ready to have a discussion on Demonetisation. The Opposition didn't allow to hold a discussion," he said, adding that “we should stop co-relating good decisions to politics."
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Sharpening his attack on the Congress, he said the party glorified the role of "one family" in the freedom struggle and said they had neglected the contribution of others.
"There are many people like me who couldn't die for the nation during the freedom struggle but we are living for India and serving India," Modi said. "Somewhere on the way, 'Jan Shakti' (people power) was forgotten and we don't accept this."
He also hits back at Kharge's comments on against the BJP saying that they did not belong to ‘a dog parampara’. Kharge had said on Monday, "Gandhi ji sacrificed his life for the country; Indira ji too sacrificed her life. Who came from your house? Not a single dog came from your family."
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