Only 1 family in opposition not allowing RS to function: PM Narendra Modi

GUWAHATI: It is not the entire Opposition, but just one family, which is not allowing the Rajya Sabha to function, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, in an apparent reference to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her son and party vice president Rahul Gandhi.

"Those who were reduced from 400 seats to 40 are creating obstacles. Opposition parties want Parliament to function, however just one family who is holding grudge for the (election) defeat is not allowing the Rajya Sabha to function," Modi said while addressing a BJP rally at Moran in Upper Assam.

Without naming the Congress leaders, he said this one family was out to take revenge for the defeat. "They are not allowing laws to be passed by the Rajya Sabha. There is a law which will increase the bonus of workers, there is a law which will lead to increased navigation and trading activity in Brahmaputra River. However these laws are awaiting the nod of the Rajya Sabha as it not allowed to function," Modi said.

He accused the government in Congress-ruled Assam of failing to provide houses, drinking water, electricity and education to the tea tribe, which has for generations been working in the tea gardens of the state.

Wooing the tea tribe, traditional supporters of the Congress, Modi said: "I too have sold Assam tea to earn my living. For several generations, you worked and what has the Congress government done. Bring pleasure (Anand) in life, bring Sarbananda in Assam. We will unleash huge development activity in Assam. Initiatives will be taken in the education sector. "

Sarbananda Sonowal, BJP’s state unit president and Union sports minister, is the party’s chief minister candidate. The Prime Minister said: "When I came to power, I witnessed Rs 27,000 crore of workers’ money was kept in the state exchequer. I made a law whereby government will identify those workers whose money is there and ensure this money reaches to them."

Modi added: "We have made new bonus laws. The government is Assam wants only money from New Delhi and criticizes the government in New Delhi in of media."