New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a high-pitched, dramatic speech in Parliament Thursday, terming the coming together of a motley group of opposition parties as “maha milavat ka khel” (loosely, game of mega adulteration), and seeking to underscore how a majority government can be far more effective than a loose coalition.
Modi also attacked parties like the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) for being “betrayers”.
With the ongoing budget session being the final one of the 16th Lok Sabha, this was likely Modi’s last parliamentary speech of this term.
Seva bhog versus satta bhog
Speaking during the motion of thanks on the President’s address, Modi launched an acerbic onslaught on the Congress, and sought to respond to allegations against his government, while listing out what he claimed to be his achievements in the last four-and-a-half years.
Terming his 55 months in power as “seva bhog” (enjoying selfless service), Modi said the 55 years of Congress rule were about “satta bhog” (enjoying power).
The 100-minute speech was garnished with a heavy dose of melodrama, anti-Congressism, several mentions of “Modi” and even some poetry.
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Maha milavat coalition vs stable BJP
The PM spent a considerable part of his speech not just condemning the Congress, but also the attempt by opposition parties to forge a united alliance against him.
“For the first time in 30 years, one party won a full majority in 2014. The people of India have seen the work a government with a full majority can do. They have seen our work. They do not want a maha milavat government of those who assembled in Kolkata,” he said.
“If Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a majority government then (in his time as PM), the country would have been far ahead now.”
The PM took a direct swipe at parties like TMC, DMK and TDP, who were once aligned with the BJP, saying they were “betrayers” who would also leave the anti-Modi camp.
Clearing the air
The PM decided to take on the Congress’ allegations of the BJP government misusing and destroying institutions, using the old Hindi adage ‘ulta chor kotwaal ko daante’ (the thief scolding the policeman instead).
“The Congress imposed the Emergency, but Modi is destroying institutions. Congress insults the Army, calls the Army chief, a ‘goonda’, but Modi is destroying institutions,” he said.
“The Congress questions the EC and EVMs, but Modi is destroying institutions. The Congress bullies the judiciary, but Modi is destroying institutions. The Congress calls the Planning Commission a bunch of jokers, but Modi is destroying institutions. The Congress misuses Article 356 several times, but Modi is destroying institutions,” he said.
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BC and AD
As has become staple in his speeches now, Modi launched a full-fledged offensive against the Congress, accusing it of 55 years of misrule.
“Our friends in the Congress see things in two time periods. BC, Before Congress, and AD, After Dynasty,” the PM mocked.
“You know what is my crime for them? That a person born to a poor family is challenging their sultanate.”
In a sharp attack on the issue of defence and national security, Modi alleged the Congress was harping on the Rafale deal because “it did not want the country’s Air Force strengthened”.
“I am making a serious allegation. The Congress does not want our armed forces to be strong. Which companies are they bidding for that they are acting so shamefully?” he asked.
The PM also took to popular culture as he sought to respond to Congress’ allegations about high inflation under his government — he quoted two songs from Hindi cinema on the issue of price rise, highlighting that they were made under Congress regimes.
“Congress-mukt Bharat is not my slogan. I am only fulfilling the wishes of Mahatma Gandhi,” Modi said. “Babasaheb Ambedkar had said that joining Congress is like committing suicide.”
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Own achievements
The PM spent as much time criticising the opposition as he did listing his own achievements.
From the Ujjwala scheme to rural housing, electrification, Jan Dhan Yojana and more — all of Modi’s pet schemes found mention in his speech, as did what he claimed to be his government’s crackdown on corruption, black money and attempts to bring back absconding economic offenders.
“This government is recognised for honesty, transparency, empathy for poor, putting national interest on top and for being anti-corruption,” Modi said.
The PM also directly addressed the youth — the first-time voter — and said it was important for them to know how the country had been misgoverned for 55 years.
He talked about seva bhav, not seva bhog. The editorial standards are slipping every day
A splendid tour de force. This is likely to be the theme of the one hundred or so election rallies.