Parliament LIVE: PM Narendra Modi To Address Lok Sabha On Constitution, Check Speech Time

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to speak in the Lok Sabha, concluding a two-day debate on "Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India."

PM Modi is slated to address the house at around 6pm.

The discussions began with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks, sparking heated exchanges between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition.

The initial day saw intense verbal clashes. Singh accused Congress of prioritising power over constitutional principles. He claimed Congress has historically disrespected institutional autonomy and frequently amended the Constitution with "malicious intent."

Constitutional Allegations and Historical References

Singh further alleged that Congress tried to "hijack and appropriate" the narrative around the Constitution's formation. He cited historical events like the Emergency, state government dismissals, and Supreme Court judge supersessions as examples of Congress's alleged disregard for constitutional integrity.

In a pointed remark at Rahul Gandhi, Singh said, "Congress leaders roam around with a copy of the Constitution in their pockets," implying a superficial grasp of its importance. He praised Article 370's repeal in Jammu and Kashmir as reaffirming the Constitution's reach across India, earning NDA members' support.

Opposition's Robust Response

The Opposition responded strongly, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra making her first Lok Sabha speech. She accused BJP of undermining the Constitution and promoting crony capitalism. Calling it "Bharat ka Samvidhan," she argued BJP would have altered it if not for recent electoral setbacks.

Gandhi highlighted issues like bribery allegations against Adani Group, violence against women, Manipur unrest, and caste census need. "The BJP chants 'Constitution, Constitution' because they know the people of this country will keep it alive and protect it," she asserted.

Accusations Against BJP

Responding to BJP's critiques regarding the Emergency, Gandhi urged them to learn from past mistakes and apologise. She accused BJP of using financial influence to topple opposition-led governments, citing incidents in Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav claimed minorities, especially Muslims, are being marginalised by infringing upon their rights and properties. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra accused Modi's administration of "bleeding the Constitution from a thousand cuts" over a decade.

Government's Defence

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh defended the government by countering that Congress had previously misused Article 356 to destabilise state governments. He questioned Congress's current commitment to constitutional values.

The debate highlights ongoing tensions between India's major political parties over constitutional interpretation and governance practices. As discussions continue, both sides remain firm in their positions on these critical issues affecting India's democratic framework.