Prime Minister Narendra  Modi on Wednesday fired a broadside at the Congress for being “deep in negativity” as he described the decade prior to his coming to power as “dark age” beset with extreme corruption, terrorism and declining global prestige and slammed the Opposition party for not being able to “digest” India’s current “rapid economic progress recognised globally.”

The Prime Minister’s reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha came a day after Parliament witnessed sharp exchanges over the Adani-Hindenburg issue.

Modi said, “2004 to 2014 was India’s ‘lost decade,’ while the decade of 2030 will be known as ‘India’s decade’.”  The PM will reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Raising slogans demanding a JPC probe into the Adani issue, members of the BRS walked out soon after Modi began his reply in the Lok Sabha. Congress members too walked out but rejoined the proceedings after Rahul Gandhi came. Opposition members abortively tried to interrupt the Prime Minister’s speech but were disciplined by the Speaker.

 The Shiv Sena and the AAP boycotted the Motion of Thanks debate, imposing a condition that the Government first accept their demand for a JPC on the Adani row.

Modi said Opposition parties could not come together despite frequent election losses but they have now joined hands after the Enforcement Directorate’s action in corruption cases, he claimed. “They should thank the ED. It brought them together, something voters could not do,” he said.

In his nearly 85-minute speech, Modi said now “Tiranga yatras” are being hoisted in Kashmir and “theaters are full” there, “where at one time tricolour was seen as a threat to peace”.

“Now theaters are full in Kashmir and the North-East is in peace with 7,000 extremists surrendering,” Modi said, striking a contrast with the previous  Congress regime when, he said, violence and terrorism  was prevelent in these regions and across the country.

He lashed-out at the Congress for being “deeply negative” not able to “digest country’s progress” under the BJP Government.

“The reason for such negativity is the people’s repeated mandate,” Modi said and in a dig cited a Harvard University  study on the Congress’s rise and decline and rubbed salt into its wounds by saying “ab university ki research Congress ki barbadi per hona hi hona hai (now university research will on the Congress downfall)”.

Modi quoted noted Hindi poet Dushyant Kumar to hit-out at the Opposition party: “tumhare paon ke neeche Koi Jameen nahin. kamaal ye hai ke phir bhi tumhen yakin nahin”.

Modi said besides voters’ rejection, the cause of Congress “despondency” is rapid progress in Indian economy in contrast to 2004-14. “During 2004-14, the economy had declined, inflation reached double digits. That’s why, every good thing that happens, evokes such reaction,” he said.

Modi said India now has a stable and decisive Government and that reforms have been brought in out of conviction and not compulsion. He went on to say that “people’s trust in Modi is not because of newspaper headlines or TV visuals but because “of my years of dedication.”

“But some people who are neck deep in frustration cannot see India’s growth story. They cannot see the achievements of 140 crore Indians…they can’t see that India has reached number 3 level in startups. 108 have reached unicorn status, all this during the pandemic,” said the PM.

Modi said 1.4 billion Indians rose to the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. And, it is a matter of pride that while the rest of the world  saw economic challenges, “We became the 5th largest economy. We are proud that we will be hosting the G20 but there are some people who are unhappy about this,” said Modi.

In a swipe at Opposition parties attempt at unity before 2024,  the Prime Minister referred to Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe. “ED did what voters could not,” taunted Prime Minister. Earlier in an another hit at Rahul and his ‘supporters’, the PM said, “Watched yesterday how after one speech, the entire ecosystem was buzzing. Some people were very excited and probably slept very well. One senior leader also insulted the President” .

“Ye keh keh ke hum dil ko behla rahe hain, wo ab chal chuke hain, wo ab aa rahe hain,” Modi said as an amused BJP side thumped the desks.

The Prime Minister also thanked President Droupadi Murmu’s contribution in the tribal community. “In her visionary Address, the President guided us and crores of Indians. Her presence as the Head of the Republic is historic as well as inspiring for the daughters and sisters of the country,” he said.

“The President has enhanced the pride of the tribal community. Today, after several years of independence, there is sense of pride in the tribal community and increase in their self-confidence. This nation and House is grateful to her for this,” he added.

While in the final phase of Prime Minister’s speech, treasury benches were seen raising  slogans of ‘Modi, Modi,’ and Opposition side responding with ‘Adani, Adani.’

Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said Rahul Gandhi hit the right chord by flagging the issue related to industrialist Gautam Adani, but insisted the party has no “personal issues” with Adani or Ambani.  “We want the country to grow and have more industrialists,” Chowdhury said, participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in Lok Sabha.

He said Rahul’s arrow has hit the right target and he has made the BJP look like a “pappu”, inviting a swift taunt from Home Minister Amit Shah who “You cannot call the honourable MP (Rahul Gandhi) Pappu”.