While BJP President Amit Shah slammed the Congress for its comment on unemployment, Ghulam Nabi Azad called the BJP ‘The weakest government’ in past 70 years.
The winter session of the parliament mostly remained stormy. The Budget Session witnessed nothing different as well. Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha election both Congress and BJP are taking each other head on the inside as well as outside the parliament.
Today, BJP President Amit Shah made his maiden speech in Rajya Sabha. Amit Shah moved a motion of thanks and parliament decided to discuss on it over Monday and Tuesday.
However, Amit Shah’s first speech was filled with sharp attacks on Congress. Amit Shah said when his party came to power in 2014, it was handed over a country where economic progress had gone downhill, by the preceding government.
Shah said, after 30 years in a “historic mandate” a party received a sweeping majority to form the government at the centre. He said, “For the first time after independence, a non-Congress party was given mandate by the public and it was a BJP government led by PM Modi. In spite of getting an absolute majority, we formed the government with NDA members.”
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi and Deendayal Upadhyaya he said that the BJP has worked for the upliftment of the weakest sections of the society. Praising PM Modi he said that before 20114, vote bank politics had ridden the system and nobody was ready to leave their privileges. He reminded the house of former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri recalling that after his request to fast, it was PM Narendra Modi who asked people to give up on something for the poor people. “The PM asked the well-off people to give up their gas subsidies and people responded positively,” said Shah.
Taking a swipe at critics of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan he said, “Those living in Lutyens Zone will not understand the importance of toilets in every house.” For last few months, Congress has surrounded the government on a number of problems including unemployment. Rahul Gandhi during his speeches had raised the issue too. Shah defending the BJP government said that the Congress ruled the country for over 50 years. “Why couldn’t the Congress find a solution?” Shah asked. He also slammed former Finance Minister for his pakoda seller jibe. He said, “I believe it is better to work hard by selling pakodas rather than be unemployed. What sort of a mentality is it when you compare a pakoda-seller to a beggar?’ Amit Shah.
Talking about GST, he accused Congress of destroying the federal structure. Shah said he had studied GST and claims that small businesses will be destroyed are over the top. Boasting about the surgical strike by the army, he said the world realised that after America and Israel, India is the only country which can protect its soldiers & Army.
Kashmir and the increased instances of stone-pelting remains a main criticizing point of opposition. Shah claimed Kashmir is the safest in past 35 years. Attacking the Congress for stalling Triple Talaq Bill he said the party has to answer the people. Talking about the winning streak of the party, he said: “some parties are now finding victory in losing elections.”
Shah’s speech indeed fiery launched a sharp attack on the Congress who is trying to galvanize the support of opposition ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, from Congress’ side, the leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad took the charge of countering the accusations made by Amit Shah.
He began his speech wondering why Amit Shah didn’t mention Sardar Patel in his speech. With his witty replies to Amit Shah, it seemed that Azad had fully prepared to give tit for tat. Congress after 2G verdict last year had said that it feels vindicated. Azad today said that the UPA government was accused of Himalayan sized corruption but the CBI acquitted everyone under your government.
Taking a jibe at scheme introduced by BJP government, he said, “The Modi is the government is not game changer they are just namechangers.” Reminding Shah of election promises made by his party he said that the only thing the government has changed in last 3.5 years is the name of the country from India to New India.
Azad also targeted state government ruled by BJP. He said the crime rates in BJP ruled states has increased multiple folds. He said, “BJP ruled states like Haryana has become the hub of criminal activities, gruesome rapes happening with minor and innocent girls.” He struck a chord with members saying, “What kind of New India are we developing? If this is the new India give us our old India.”
Azad did not spare even Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah. In a veiled dig, he said, “BJP has one original scheme on how to turn Rs 50,000 to over Rs 80,00,00,000 but they don’t share it with us if they do everyone would be happy.” Talking about the budget introduced by the government last week, he said the Government’s promise to double farmer’s income is just a lollipop.
Slamming the ruling Modi government on Kashmir issue, he said that the government does not have a policy on Kashmir. “The maximum number of security personnel, armed forces personnel and civilians have died under your government in last three years,” Azad said. Calling the Modi government, the weakest in 70 years he said, the government failed to bring Massod Azhar to justice.
Replying to accusations on Triple Talaq bill he said the Congress supports the good part of the bill but opposes the part where it criminalises Muslim men. He said the BJP has created a divide between Hindu and Muslims.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
