PM Narendra Modi seeks opposition help in passage of GST, other bills

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made overtures to the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, seeking its support for passage of key bills and smooth functioning of Parliament for a “quantum jump” in governance, but was unsparing in his criticism of the Congress in his reply to the motion of thanks to the President’s address.

Modi began his reply by lauding the opposition for allowing the House to function smoothly but soon switched over to slamming the Congress. He took digs at the media, saying the Congress seems to have a “boon” as it is never held responsible by the press for the disruptions.

“When wise men walk others follow them…. This is a House of elders, of seniors. So I request this House to cooperate in passing bills and giving speed to growth,” Modi said.

Citing a couplet by poet Nida Fazli, Modi sought to b l a m e t h e Congress for trying to move ahead by running him down. The PM underlined his government’s commitment to good governance and enumerated transparency, accountability and effective delivery as its pillars.

“There are two types of people — those who work and those who take credit. You should try to be in the first as the competition there is less,” Modi said, quoting former PM Indira Gandhi.

Referring to the Ganga Action Plan — started by former PM Rajiv Gandhi to clean up the river — Modi said if the Congress claims credit for it, it should also take the blame for the failure to fulfil the aim even decades after it began. “There was lot of knowledge (in the UPA government) but no inclination to do the job.”