Privilege motion against PM Modi for Nehru surname remark against Gandhis

PM Modi alleged that Indira Gandhi alone used Article 356 to topple governments of regional parties in states as many as 50 times.

Congress on Friday moved a motion of privilege against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha for his alleged defamatory remarks against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in his speech during the last Parliament session.

On February 10, PM Modi tore into the Gandhi family members asking why they were ashamed of using the Nehru surname even as he criticised Jawaharlal Nehru as well as Indira Gandhi for repeatedly using Article 356 to topple state governments led by non-Congress parties.

What did PM Modi say?

He targeted the Congress on the issue of federalism, saying the Congress dispensations including those led by former prime ministers Nehru and Gandhi used Article 356 of the Constitution at least 90 times to topple state governments of many regional outfits.

PM Modi alleged that Indira Gandhi alone used Article 356 to topple governments of regional parties in states as many as 50 times.

Replying to a debate on the motion of thanks on the President's address, Modi said, "I had read in some newspaper, I have not verified it, but a report said as many as 600 government schemes are only in the name of Gandhi-Nehru family."

He said if Nehru's name is not mentioned, some people get upset and their blood boils. They ask why Nehru's name is not mentioned.

"...if Nehru ji's name is left out by us, we would correct our mistake as he was the first prime minister of the country. But I do not understand why anyone from his clan is afraid of keeping Nehru surname? Is there any shame in having the Nehru surname? What is the shame? When the family is not ready to accept such a great personality, why do you keep questioning us," he said.

His attack was targeted at Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi.