PM slams Opposition, refers to Rahul’s ‘unwanted hug’ at UP rally

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, July 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit out at the Opposition parties for supporting the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on Friday by asserting that he was not worried as long as the 125 crore people of the country had confidence in him.

Addressing the Kisan Kalyan Rally in Shahjahanpur, his first public meeting after the TDP moved first no-confidence motion against his government, Modi virtually badgered the Opposition parties for not having confidence in his government which he claimed was working for the development of the farmers, poor, women and youth.

Without naming Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Modi took a dig at the “unwanted hug” he received from him in Parliament. “You must have seen on television how they came running for the Prime Minister’s chair; they can see anything but the Prime Minister’s chair,” the Prime Minister said

“Hamne unke avishwas ka baar-baar karan poocha hai, lekin woh karan nahi bata paaye aur gale pad gaye,” said Modi, explaining Gandhi’s gesture of giving him a hug.

Attacking the emerging opposition unity, Modi said that now the dal (party) was connecting with other dals (parties) to become daldal (slush).  

Giving the Opposition unity a political twist, he said, “All know that lotuses bloom in daldal (slush).

According to him, the reason for bringing in the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha was to test the future of the alliances.

Without naming, PM Modi also attacked former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi saying that there was a Prime Minister who said that only 15 paisa of a rupee released for development from New Delhi reached the people.

“Which was the hand which deprived the people of that 85 paisa on every rupee when only the Congress was ruling at the Centre as well as the states?” asked Modi.

He said that his government’s determination to check corruption and dynastic rule had brought uneasiness which led to the lack of confidence in his government.

“Either you chose cycle (Samajwadi party) or elephant (BSP) as your partner the people know how they have been betrayed. They are not prepared to fall to such designs and are looking forward to a New India in 2022,” said Modi.