NEW DELHI, India — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party during his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, accusing the opposition of appropriating the Gandhi surname from Gujarat for political gain.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Modi said “chori karna” or stealing had become a traditional practice for some, alleging that the Congress had taken the surname of Mahatma Gandhi without a legitimate claim. He contrasted the accusation with what he described as his government’s long-term vision for the country, saying India is moving steadily toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Referring to Congress’ historic slogan “Garibi Hatao,” the Prime Minister questioned what tangible outcomes the party had delivered beyond rhetoric. He said Congress governments had failed to highlight concrete achievements of their prime ministers and had instead relied on slogans for political advantage.
Modi said his government had taken a different approach by focusing on empowering the poor, crediting national welfare schemes with helping around 25 crore people rise out of poverty. He praised beneficiaries for understanding and effectively implementing government programs.
The Prime Minister also outlined his administration’s focus on creating opportunities for young people, saying the country is advancing with renewed energy across sectors such as space, science, technology, deep-sea exploration, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, and rare earth materials.
He said India’s growth trajectory has drawn global interest, with other countries keen to be part of what he described as India’s bright future. Modi stressed the need to maintain high standards, urging citizens to support a culture of quality so that Made-in-India and Made-in-Bharat products gain global recognition and respect.
The parliamentary session concluded with procedural business, as amendments moved to the Motion of Thanks were put to a vote and rejected. Many of the members who had proposed the amendments were not present in the House during voting.
The main Motion of Thanks was subsequently adopted through a voice vote, formally bringing the debate to a close. (Source: IANS)
