PM Modi Accuses Opposition of Negative Politics as Budget Session Begins
PM Modi criticises Opposition for negative politics and attempts to stifle his voice, while urging MPs to work for the nation as the Budget Session starts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticised the Opposition for engaging in what he described as "negative politics" and for allegedly attempting to stifle his voice during the previous Parliament session. Speaking to the media ahead of the start of the Budget Session, he urged Opposition leaders to participate constructively, emphasising that Parliament is meant for the nation, not for party interests.
Mr. Modi said the Union Budget, scheduled for presentation on Tuesday, would set the direction for the next five years and lay the foundation for realising the vision of a developed India by 2047. He noted that while political parties had been in election mode since January, the people had delivered their verdict, and it was now the responsibility of all elected representatives to work for the country over the next five years.
The Prime Minister expressed sadness that since 2014, many MPs had not had the opportunity to speak about their constituencies or share their views in Parliament due to the negative politics of certain parties, which he said misused Parliament to conceal their political failures. He also referred to an incident in the first session of the current Lok Sabha, where an "undemocratic attempt" was made to suppress the voice of the government, which he said had been mandated by 140 crore Indians. For two-and-a-half hours, attempts were made to stifle the Prime Minister's voice, he said, adding that such actions have no place in democratic traditions and that the Opposition has shown no remorse.
His remarks appeared to reference the previous session when he delivered his reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address amid protests and sloganeering by the Opposition, which was demanding that both MPs from Manipur be allowed to speak.
Mr. Modi also described it as a matter of immense pride that after nearly 60 years, a government has returned for a third term and has the privilege of presenting the first Budget of that term. He said the country views this as a proud moment in the journey of Indian democracy.