Government defeats no-trust vote, PM Narendra Modi says opposition lacks self-confidence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore into the Congress on charges of wrongdoing in the Rafale deal, national security issues like Dokalam standoff with China and the surgical strike, saying the main Opposition should not act in a “childish manner”— an obvious reference to Rahul Gandhi — even as he questioned the Opposition unity during his speech in the no-confidence motion debate.

Modi alleged that the Congress top leadership suffers from arrogance and lacks the self-confidence to convince the electorate to form a government. “Instead they have misused the constitutional provision of no-confidence to mislead the people,” he said.

The prime minister also played up his modest family background and said Congress cannot stand him occupying the high post. Modi said the main opposition seems to distrust its allies and the no-confidence motion is a move to test opposition unity. He chose to keep his attack on the Congress while describing Deve Gowda and Sharad Pawar as grassroots leaders. The PM made repeated references to Rahul Gandhi’s surprise move of walking up to his seat and giving him a hug.



Confusion in Opposition Camp

He said he was surprised that when the debate had just begun, he was told “get up, get up” from your seat. He added that somebody seems to be in a hurry to occupy the chair.

“Nobody can make anybody stand up from this seat. This has been decided by 1.25 crore people of the country. What is the hurry? It is arrogance which makes one say that the prime minister will not be able to face me for 15 minutes. I am not only standing but standing firm on my achievements of the last four years. They say we won’t let you come to power in 2019. Those who do not believe in people have such arrogance,” Modi said.

Modi said these days there is a lot of talk about Shiv bhakti, a reference to Rahul calling himself a Shiv bhakt. “I am also a Shiv bhakt and I pray to Lord Shiva that he should give you the power to bring a no-confidence motion in 2024,” Modi said. While the next Lok Sabha polls are due in 2019, the one after that would be held in 2024.

He took digs at the Congress attempt to get the other parties together, saying there is a lot of confusion in the Opposition camp.

“If Congress becomes the biggest party in the next election, I will become the prime minister,” the PM said, in an obvious reference to Rahul Gandhi and added, “But there is confusion about what will happen to the ambitions of its other partners. This is not a floor test of the Congress but a floor test of its so-called allies.” Modi emphasised that Congress is worried about keeping parties which do not have much in common.

The no-confidence motion was defeated with 325 votes against it while 126 voted in favour.

Modi cautioned the Congress against making irresponsible statements, especially on issues of national security and international relations. He said the statement on rafale deal and the secrecy clause had forced two countries (India and France) to issue a clarification. He also countered Rahul Gandhi’s charge of him being a “bhagidar” — that he is complicit in helping corporate houses. “It was said today that I cannot see eye to eye with them. Who am I to see eye to eye? I am from a poor family. You are naamdar, I am kaamdar.”