Day After Rahul Gandhi's Fiery Attack On Centre, PM Modi Likely To Address Lok Sabha Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver a speech in the Lok Sabha today responding to the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address. This follows Rahul Gandhi's fiery first speech as the Leader of Opposition, in which he slammed the ruling party on multiple fronts.

Before his Lok Sabha address, Modi will speak at a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parliamentary party meeting at 9:30 am, marking his first address to NDA MPs since securing his third term as Prime Minister.

Photo Credit: PTI

This event holds particular importance as, for the first time since 2014, the BJP has lost its majority in the Lok Sabha. The saffron party secured 240 seats while its allies won 53, enabling the NDA to maintain a comfortable majority in the 543-member House.

The debate on the Motion of Thanks was initially scheduled for Friday but was postponed due to disruptions caused by opposition MPs protesting against irregularities in the NEET examination, demanding discussions on the matter.

Modi's speech comes a day after Rahul Gandhi's sharp critique of the BJP during his address in the Lok Sabha. Gandhi's multi-faceted attack included criticisms of the BJP's statements during the election campaign, allegations of misconduct in the NEET exams, and the Agnipath scheme.

He pointed out that an Agniveer who lost his life in a landmine blast was not referred to as a 'martyr,' labeling the Agniveer program as treating soldiers like "use and throw laborers."

Gandhi also inculded the 'Abhayamudra,' a Hindu symbol signifying fearlessness, reassurance, and safety, as a symbol for the Congress party, contrasting it with the BJP, which he accused of promoting violence and hate.

"Abhayamudra is the symbol of the Congress. Abhayamudra is the gesture of fearlessness, is the gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection and bliss in Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and other Indian religions...All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear...But, those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth...Aap Hindu ho hi nahi," the Congress leader said.

His remarks incited strong reactions from NDA leaders, who accused him of linking Hinduism with violence and demanded a public apology for his statements in Parliament.

(With PTI inputs)