Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the Lok Sabha on Today, following Rahul Gandhi’s powerful maiden speech as the Leader of Opposition. Modi’s speech will be in response to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address. Before speaking in Parliament, Modi will address the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) parliamentary party meeting at 9:30 a.m., marking his first address to ruling bloc MPs since securing his third term in office.
This development is significant as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has, for the first time since 2014, lost its majority in the Lok Sabha. In the recent polls, the BJP secured 240 seats, while its allies won 53, allowing the NDA to comfortably exceed the halfway mark in the 543-member House.
The Motion of Thanks debate, initially slated for Friday, was delayed due to opposition MPs protesting irregularities in the NEET examination, demanding discussions on the issue.
Modi’s reply will follow a day after Rahul Gandhi’s scathing critique of the BJP. In his speech, Gandhi attacked the BJP over its election remarks, NEET paper leak allegations, and the Agnipath scheme. He criticized the Agnipath scheme, highlighting the treatment of Agniveers, saying, “One Agniveer lost his life in a landmine blast but he is not called a ‘martyr’… ‘Agniveer’ is a use and throw labourer.”
Gandhi also presented the Hindu symbol ‘Abhayamudra’ as a symbol of the Congress party, emphasizing non-violence and safety. “Abhayamudra is the symbol of the Congress… The Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, reassurance, and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, and other Indian religions… All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear… But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth… Aap Hindu ho hi nahi,” Gandhi stated.
Gandhi’s remarks sparked a backlash from NDA leaders, who accused him of associating violence with Hinduism and demanded a public apology.
As the political landscape shifts with the BJP’s reliance on allies, Modi’s upcoming address will be closely watched for its response to Gandhi’s criticisms and its implications for the government’s future actions.