Rajya Sabha gave direction to country by passing bill to abrogate Art 370, 35A first: Modi

Modi said, "The bill to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A was first passed in Rajya Sabha and later in Lok Sabha. It was the lower house of the parliament which gave direction to the country."

Upholding cooperative federalism, the Prime Minister said, "The Centre and states together will have to lead the country. The development of the nation can never take place without the development of individual states."

To highlight the importance of the lower house, Modi quoted former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said, "Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji, during the 200th session of the Rajya Sabha in 2003, had said 'No one should make the mistake of treating our second House (Rajya Sabha) as the secondary house. It should remain being the supporting house for India's development.'"

In a surprise reference to the parties of veteran leaders Sharad Pawar and Naveen Patnaik, the Prime Minister said, "Both NCP and BJD have never gone to the well of the House, and their politics have never stopped. Every political party including my party must learn from them."

The winter session of the parliament began on Monday.

(Image Credit: BJP Twitter)