New Delhi:
In an apparent swipe at UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said despite being slammed by some people, the government did not put them behind the bars as it was not Emergency, and if someone gets bail, he or she should “enjoy”.
“We are being slammed because we didn't put some people in jail, this is not emergency that the government can throw anyone in jail, this is democracy and judiciary will decide on this. We let the law take its course and if someone gets bail then they should enjoy, we don't believe in vendetta,” Modi said in Lok Sabha.
Modi was replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks for President Ram Nath Kovind's address. The President had earlier addressed both the houses of parliament. The newly-elected lawmakers took up the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address.
Modi also slammed the Congress on the occasion of Emergency, saying it was a blot on democracy.
"There are some who feel only a handful of names contributed to national development. They only want to hear those few names and ignore others. We think differently, we feel each and every citizen has worked for country’s development," Modi said in Lok Sabha.
Raising questions over the Emergency, Modi said: "Who did it was being asked by some people during the debate. Today is June 25. Who imposed the Emergency? We can't forget those dark days. Don't forget who trampled upon our Constitution. Emergency should never be forgotten and we can't erase the blot of the Emergency.
"Brave women and men died for the nation during the freedom struggle. We have to build the India our freedom fighters dreamt of. I urge all to observe Gandhi Ji's 150th birth anniversary and 75 years of India's freedom with great enthusiasm."
Modi also said the Congress didn't praise its own government and thought beyond one family, and it was the NDA government which honoured Pranab Mukherjee with Bharat Ratna.
"I know that it takes time to change things which have been existing for last 70 years. We did not divert or dilute from our main goal. We have to moved forward, be it regarding infrastructure or in space," PM Modi.
"I challenge the govenment that was in power between 2004-2014 to mention if they ever praised work of Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Did they ever speak about good work of Narasimha Rao Ji? The same people did not even speak of Manmohan Singh Ji in Lok Sabha in this debate," Modi added.
Taking another dig at the UPA, Modi said: "In their speeches, if they had even once mentioned Manmohan Singh, I would have had faith... Our dream is to stay rooted in reality. The Opposition is no longer connected to roots. The Opposition is riding a high horse. All governments have contributed to India's progress."
