Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha after a fiery three-day debate on a no-confidence motion moved by the opposition. This is the second time that the Modi government faced a no-trust motion. "Even after 60 minutes, no mention of Manipur," opposition chanted and staged a walkout from the House during PM Modi's speech and skipped voting. The no-trust vote was defeated in Lok Sabha after a voice vote.
The Opposition, that had been demanding that he speak in Parliament over the situation in Manipur, moved the no-confidence motion to force the Prime Minister to address the Lok Sabha. More than an hour into the speech, PM Modi hit out at the opposition for stalling the discussion on Manipur until now. He assured people of India that peace will return to the state due to the combined efforts of the central and state governments.
Here are the top quotes from his speech in Lok Sabha:
On No-Confidence Motion
"Why didn't you (opposition) prepare and come. I gave you five years to prepare."
"I believe that it's the blessing of God that opposition has brought this motion. Even in 2018 I had said, the motion is not a floor test of our government but theirs... When voting happened, they fell short... When we went to the public, the people announced their no-confidence in them. The NDA and BJP got more votes. In a way, the Opposition No-Confidence Motion is a good omen for us."
"When you bring no-confidence motion in 2028, the country will be one of the top three economies."
On Opposition's Alliance
"Opposition has a secret blessing, if they want anyone to fail, they would instead succeed."
"You're trying to pass off old vehicle as electric one just by applying new paint."
"Centuries being scored here (treasury benches) and no-balls being bowled from there (opposition benches)."
"Tallest leader in Opposition ranks not in list of speakers; Amit Shah's magnanimity that he promised time to Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. I don't know what was compulsion of Congress for sidelining Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, maybe call was made from Kolkata."
"I convert abuses, unparliamentary language hurled at me by opposition into tonic."
"The manner in which they curse the country and democracy, I am confident that the country and democracy are going to get stronger."
On India's Economy, Development
"In our third term, India will become third largest economy in world."
"We have given a scam-free government to the youth of India, we have given them courage and opportunity to fly high in open sky."
On Manipur
"I want to assure people of the country that peace will be restored and Manipur will move ahead with new self-confidence. I urge people of Manipur and I want to tell the women of Manipur that the country stands with them."
"We will find a solution to this challenge together and once again peace will be restored there."
