By PM Modi Attacks Opposition During Reply to President’s Address
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (February 5, 2026) launched a sharp attack on the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, accusing it of “defiling the temple of democracy” through repeated disruptions and walkouts during the Budget Session of Parliament.
Replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, Modi said the Opposition’s inability to digest successive electoral defeats at the hands of the NDA had led to frustration and disorderly conduct in Parliament.
Opposition Walks Out at Start of PM’s Speech
Opposition members staged a walkout at the beginning of Modi’s address. Referring to his inability to reply to the debate in the Lok Sabha earlier, the Prime Minister said the disruption amounted to an insult to President Droupadi Murmu, her constitutional position, her tribal identity, and the Constitution of India.
“What happened in the Lok Sabha was not just disruption — it was the defilement of the temple of democracy,” Modi said.
‘They Talk of Digging Modi’s Grave, But the Poor Stand With Me’
Responding to slogans raised by Opposition leaders about “digging Modi’s grave”, the Prime Minister said such remarks reflected deep frustration.
“Those who speak of mohabbat ki dukaan are also raising slogans like ‘Modi teri kabr khudegi’. They will never succeed. The blessings of India’s poor are with me,” he said.
Modi added that the Congress believes the Prime Minister’s post is the legacy of one family, while his strength comes from women, farmers, the poor and marginalised communities.
Criticism of Congress and Trinamool Congress
Without naming her directly, Modi criticised Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress government over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) case, accusing it of being “nirmam” (merciless).
He alleged that the state government was prioritising the inclusion of infiltrators over genuine citizens, claiming such infiltration was taking away jobs meant for youth and encroaching on Adivasi land.
‘Garibi Hatao Was a Slogan, Not Action’
Quoting a speech by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Modi said previous governments viewed India’s population as a “problem”, whereas his government sees citizens as the solution and strength of the nation.
He asserted that 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty, adding that Garibi Hatao was merely a slogan for Congress, not a policy backed by delivery.
Remarks on Rahul Gandhi and Sikh Community
Modi also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for calling Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu a “traitor”, terming it an insult to the entire Sikh community.
He further said that throwing papers at presiding officers in the Lok Sabha — including Krishna Prasad Tenneti and Dilip Saikia — amounted to an insult to Dalits and the people of Assam.
Economic Growth, Trade Deals and Infrastructure Push
Highlighting the government’s achievements over the last 11 years, Modi said India’s economy is on track to become the world’s third largest, citing high growth and low inflation.
He noted that trade agreements with nine countries, the European Union, and the United States reflect growing global confidence in India amid an uncertain world order.
The Prime Minister also underlined the impact of the PRAGATI project monitoring programme, stating that projects worth ₹85 lakh crore had been fast-tracked, including the Boghibeel bridge in Assam.
Motion of Thanks Passed
Modi’s speech lasted 97 minutes. In the absence of the Opposition, the Rajya Sabha passed the Motion of Thanks to the President, formally concluding the debate.
