PM Modi Slams Opposition For 'Hooliganism' In Parliament, Takes Jibe At Congress' Poll Drubbing

Ahead of the four-week Winter Session of Parliament, which began on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig at the Opposition, claiming that some turn to hooliganism to control Parliament after being repeatedly rejected by the public in elections.

In an apparent reference to Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Modi stated that the public must "reject them again and again."

He urged the Opposition to respect public sentiment and uphold democratic values, highlighting the need for responsible behaviour in Parliament.

"The public has to reject them again and again...It is a condition of democracy that we respect the feelings of the people and work hard day and night to live up to their hopes and expectations," Modi said.

"Some of the opposition members behave very responsibly. They also wish that work should be done smoothly in the House. Those who have been continuously rejected by the public ignore the words of their colleagues, disrespect their feelings and disrespect the feelings of democracy," he added.

The Prime Minister also underscored that India's global standing depends on the effective use of Parliament's time and dignified conduct in the House.

Referring specifically to the outcomes of the assembly elections and bypolls, where the BJP secured an impressive performance, particularly in Maharashtra, he said, "State poll results have added to the strength of the popular mandate seen in the Lok Sabha elections."

Modi expressed hope that the Winter Session would be productive and enhance India's global standing.

"The voters of India are dedicated to democracy, their dedication to the Constitution, their faith in the parliamentary working system, all of us sitting in the Parliament will have to live up to the sentiments of the people and this is the need of the hour. The only way to make up for it is that we should highlight various aspects of every subject in a very healthy manner in the House. The coming generations will also get inspiration from it," he emphasised.

The Winter Session is expected to be a busy one, with several important bills on the agenda, including the Waqf Act (Amendment) Bill. The Opposition is also likely to raise the issue of the US indictment of businessman Gautam Adani in a bribery case.