Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday quoted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take a swipe at the Congress ahead of a Lok Sabha election, due in less than two months, declaring “I pray you can save at least 40 seats”.
Banerjee – whose relationship with the Congress amid seat-sharing talks of the opposition INDIA bloc is close to collapsing – last week doubted the Congress’s ability to win “even 40 seats” in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
During his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, “A challenge has been posed before you from West Bengal that Congress will not be able to cross 40 (in Lok Sabha elections 2024). I pray that you can at least secure 40 seats.”
The Congress has slumped to catastrophic defeats in the past two Lok Sabha elections, winning 72 seats in the 2014 poll and only 44 five years later. In contrast, in 2009 the party won 206 seats.
Taking a dig at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the Prime Minister said, “I could not say it that day but I express my special gratitude to Kharge ji. I was listening to him with great attention and enjoyment that day. The lack of entertainment that we were missing in the Lok Sabha was fulfilled by him…”.
“I wondered how he had the freedom to speak so much. Then I realised, two ‘special commanders’ were not there. Kharge ji made use of this opportunity,” PM Modi said.
He went on to say that, “I remember the incident from last year. We used to sit in that building and attempts were made to stifle the voices of the PM of the country…Today too, you have come prepared to not listen. But you can’t suppress my voice. People of the country have strengthened this voice… I too have come prepared this time.”
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He further claimed that Congress has “become outdated even with their thinking. Such a huge party, which ruled the country for decades has seen such a downfall. We are not delighted, our sympathies with you.”
Further tearing into the Congress and saying that NDA gave Ambedkar the Bharat Ratna, PM Modi stated, “The Congress which never gave complete reservation to OBCs, never gave reservation to the poor of the general category, which did not consider Baba Saheb worthy of Bharat Ratna, kept giving Bharat Ratna only to its family. They are now preaching and teaching us the lesson of social justice. Those who have no guarantee as a leader are raising questions about Modi’s guarantee….”
“In the 10 years of Congress, the Indian economy was in fragile five. Congress government was known for policy paralysis. On the other hand, in our 10 years, India has been one of the top five economies. Our 10 years will be remembered for big and decisive decisions,” PM Modi reiterated.
PM Modi accused Congress of creating narratives to divide the country. He said, “The Congress is creating narratives to divide the country. The party is now trying to create a north-south divide. We can’t see state funds through narrow prisms.” His comments came amid Karnataka Congress staging a protest against the Centre at Jantar Mantar in the national capital over issues such as reduced tax devolution and unproportionate resource distribution.
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Bashing Congress’s rule, PM Modi said, “They ruined BSNL, MTNL, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). See where the HAL is now. It has become Asia’s biggest helicopter manufacturer.”
During his address, PM Modi claimed that Congress is spreading rumours on the health of PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) in the country. He said, “Our PSUs are giving record returns now. The number of PSUs during UPA rule was 234. It has now increased to 254. BSE-PSU index has doubled in one year. PSUs net worth has increased from Rs 9 lakh crore to Rs 17 lakh crore.”