New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a strong criticism of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing some people of openly echoing the rhetoric of urban naxals.

Speaking during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Modi asserted that those who "declare a war" against the Indian State neither understand the Constitution nor the nation's unity.

A day ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, Modi also took a swipe at Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), remarking that "some parties are like 'AAP-da' for the future of the youth." He emphasised that his government’s initiatives had saved significant amounts of money, but unlike others, it was not used to construct a 'Sheesh Mahal'.

Modi made multiple indirect references to former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, criticising those who "entertain themselves by getting photo sessions done in huts of the poor," claiming that such individuals find discussions about poverty in Parliament uninteresting.

"Those who walk around with the Constitution in their pockets, do they know how they forced Muslim women to live in hardship? We brought in the triple talaq law to give right to them," he said.

Continuing his attack, he added, "Today, some people are openly speaking the language of urban naxals. The things that urban naxals say (are being said). These people who speak the language of urban naxals, who declare war against the Indian State, can neither understand the Constitution nor about the country's unity."

While Modi refrained from naming anyone, his remarks were seemingly directed at Gandhi’s recent statement that "we are now fighting the BJP, the RSS and the Indian State itself."

Taking another veiled jibe at AAP leader Kejriwal, Modi commented that while some leaders prioritise "jacuzzi and stylish showers," his government remains committed to ensuring water access for every household.

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He further accused some parties of misleading voters by making grand promises before elections but failing to deliver on them. "Some government schemes saved lot of money, but we did not use it to build 'Sheesh Mahal'," he reiterated.

Without directly mentioning Gandhi, Modi mocked his reaction to the President’s address, stating, "Those who entertain themselves by getting photo sessions done in huts of the poor will find the talk about the poor in Parliament boring." After the President's address to a joint session of Parliament on January 31, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were seen discussing the speech in the Parliament complex. During the conversation, Rahul Gandhi was overheard asking Sonia Gandhi if the speech was "boring."

Modi also claimed that, unlike previous administrations, his government had not relied on empty slogans but had delivered real progress to the people. "We did not give false slogans, but real development to people," he said. Highlighting poverty alleviation under his leadership, he added, "Till five decades, slogans of 'garibi hatao' were heard, and now 25 crore poor have come out of poverty."

He pointed out that four crore houses had been provided to the underprivileged. "The one who has lived that kind of life knows what it means to have a house with a proper roof," Modi remarked. Criticising the opposition further, he stated, "Pain of poor, troubles of common man, cannot be understood just like that; it requires passion, and some just don't have it."

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Asserting his government’s adherence to democratic principles, Modi said, "We live by the spirit of the Constitution and do not resort to politics of poison." He also took a swipe at former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, saying, "A PM who used to chant '21st century' was so far from reality that he was unable to provide for needs of 20th century."

Praising his government’s economic measures, Modi highlighted key decisions in the Budget. He noted that in 2002, there was no tax on incomes up to Rs 2 lakh, whereas today, earnings up to Rs 12 lakh remain tax-free. He also underscored the significance of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, alleging that some states had deliberately stalled its implementation, depriving the poor of its benefits.
(With PTI Inputs)

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