PM Modi to reply to Motion of Thanks in Rajya Sabha today

Modi delivered his reply to the Motion of Thanks in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the opposition starting with former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), his direct rival ahead of the Delhi Assembly election and said some political leaders focus on Jacuzzis and stylish showers even as people don't get water connections at homes.

His comment was a dig at Kejriwal allegedly spending Rs 45 crore of taxpayer money on luxury fittings and furnishings for the CM bungalow, dubbed 'Sheesh Mahal' by the BJP.

"Some leaders are focusing on jacuzzies and stylish showers... but our focus is on getting water connections in every home (and) our government gave tap water to 12 crore families," he declared.

In a swipe at AAP, Modi said: "We focus on youth but some betray them. This group, during elections, promises many things but doesn't fulfil them. This group is an 'AAP-da' on youth's future..."

The reference was made to the AAP's practice of offering an array of freebies, including free water and electricity, a practice criticised by the BJP.

Modi will address the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday just a day after exit polls predicted the BJP's return to power in Delhi after 27 years dethroning the AAP, which emerged into the political landscape in 2013 with its anti-corruption movement.

Meanwhile, taking on the arch-rival Congress, Modi said the leaders of the grand-old party only look for "photo-ops" in huts and find discussion on "poor people boring".

"In the last 10 years of (BJP rule), 25 crore people were able to overcome poverty. But, before this, for decades we heard 'garibi hatao' slogans, but couldn't do it..." he said and added, "We didn't give slogans to the poor... we gave real development. Till now, we have given four crore houses to the poor."

"We have done so much for the poor... the President spoke about it at length in her speech. But those who do 'photo ops' in huts... they will find discussion on poor people boring," he said referring to Sonia Gandhi's remark of 'poor thing' when she was talking about Droupadi Murmu's speech in Parliament.

The Prime Minister also fired a barb at one of his predecessors - the late Congress PM Rajiv Gandhi, who was sometimes referred to as 'Mr. Clean' - declaring he had admitted that for every Re 1 of aid meant for the poor, they received only 25 paise or less.

Modi claimed that in his administration, the poor were direct beneficiaries, saying, "We deposited Rs 40 lakh crore directly."