Prime Minister Narendra Modi trained his guns on Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, for his “derogatory” remarks made against the Indian Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra 2022. Modi said, Gandhi makes childish and unsubstantiated comments and the court has served him a lesson.
Taking a swipe at the Congress leader, a day after the Supreme Court pulled him up for his claim of China encroaching Indian land, PM Modi said the Opposition must be regretting its decision to seek a debate on the terror strike and India's military response. He was addressing the NDA MPs, where the PM emphasized the NDA’s collective identity as a natural and organic alliance, saying that since 1998, the BJP and its alliance have had a successful journey and have many more achievements in store. At places, the BJP may not be as strong as some of its allies but everyone should join ranks as NDA members, he said.
Addressing NDA MPs from both Houses of Parliament, PM said they (Congress) were “exposing” themselves before the nation by disrupting the Parliament almost daily. “Why should we stop those who are digging their own grave?” the PM asked.
He further said that three weeks into the current session are already over, not even a single legislation has been passed in the Parliament due to constant disruption by the Opposition.
At an NDA parliamentary party meeting, which was last held in July 2024, PM Modi was felicitated for his exceptional leadership in marshalling India's response following the Pahalgam terror attack, and a resolution showered praise on the armed forces as well for their "unmatched courage" and "unwavering commitment" during Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev.
PM also said, "It is just the beginning," adding that there is a long way to go, triggering some buzz among MPs about the implication of the statement.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju later told reporters that the prime minister spoke in the context of the NDA's long and successful journey and that it will notch up many more achievements.
Modi recalled that he had begun his reply in the Lok Sabha with the assertion that he would present the "Stand of Bharat" and praised the points made by the speakers from the NDA.
The sources said PM Modi spoke about upcoming events like Tiranga Yatra, which the BJP annually celebrates in the run-up to Independence Day and National Space Day, which falls on August 23. He told the MPs that they should participate in them enthusiastically as NDA members.
The sources present in the meeting said the broader message of the prime minister, who is also the leader of the NDA, was about maintaining cohesion and coordination in the alliance.
The BJP and its allies are in power in 19 out of 28 states, and are gearing up to fight the assembly polls in Bihar.