'Lotus will bloom profusely, the more you engage in mud slinging': PM Modi's retort to Opposition

Congress and other opposition parties have been attacking the BJP-led Centre ever since American short-seller Hindenburg Research accused Adani Group of accounting fraud and stock manipulation.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged PM Modi of crony capitalism in his speech in parliament on Tuesday amid allegations involving billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate.

In his reply in Rajya Sabha to a debate, Modi said, "To create new narratives, efforts are being made to spread lies with half-baked things. The more you engage in mud-slinging, the more the Lotus [BJP's symbol] will bloom." 

Taking a swipe at the previous Congress governments at the Centre, the PM accused it of "misgovernance".

“For 60 years, the Congress had made potholes. Maybe they didn’t intend to, but they did. When they were digging pits, they had wasted six decades then when even small countries of the world were touching the heights of success,” said Modi.

He added, “Congress politics, economic policy and social policy used to run on the basis of vote bank only. But we are worried about street vendors. Through PM-Swanidhi and PM-Vikas Yojana, we have worked to increase the capacity of a large section of the society.”

The PM said, “Over 90 thousand startups have opened opportunities for jobs for people. Small farmers are the backbone of India’s agriculture sector. Government is working to strengthen them.’’

“We have transformed the working culture with the power of technology. Our focus is on increasing speed and enhancing scale,” Modi added.

The PM also claimed that record investment has been made in the infrastructure sector, thus creating employment opportunities for the people.

“We are working hard and working on the basis of the public's priorities and needs. If we have to work day and night, we will do it, but will not let the hopes of the country get hurt,” he added.

He further said, “The world was amazed when we brought indigenous vaccines for Covid. India has not fulfilled just its needs but of 150 counties for the vaccine.”

“We have focused on national progress and also paid attention to regional aspirations. It is our resolve that India becomes ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047,” the PM said.