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Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a scathing critique of the Congress party during a Rajya Sabha speech, focusing on their alleged history of appeasement politics and disregard for the demands of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). His address, in response to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, served as a platform to highlight the BJP government's achievements while simultaneously lambasting the Congress's past actions. A central theme was the accusation that Congress prioritized dynastic interests over the needs of the nation, a theme he repeatedly emphasized throughout his speech. He pointed to the long-standing demand from OBC MPs across party lines for constitutional recognition of the OBC panel, a demand he claimed was consistently rejected by Congress due to perceived political disadvantages. The stark contrast, he argued, was the BJP government's granting of constitutional status to the OBC panel, showcasing a commitment to inclusive governance that the Congress allegedly lacked.
Modi's speech went beyond mere political point-scoring; he employed a narrative strategy weaving together historical events with contemporary political maneuvering. He recounted the Congress's actions during the Emergency, highlighting the suppression of freedom of speech and the persecution of prominent figures like Kishore Kumar and Dev Anand, who refused to endorse the regime. This historical context served to bolster his claim of Congress's authoritarian tendencies and their disregard for democratic principles. The use of poetic verses further amplified his message, creating a more emotionally resonant critique, with lines emphasizing the darkness of the Emergency period and the eventual dawn of a brighter future under the BJP government. This rhetorical strategy aimed to engage the audience on multiple levels, moving beyond the purely factual to tap into the emotional and historical narratives surrounding the Congress’ legacy.
The accusation of 'appeasement politics' formed a core component of Modi's attack. He argued that Congress consistently prioritized securing votes through short-term appeasement measures, often at the expense of broader national interests. He contrasted this with the BJP's alleged focus on 'santushtikaran,' or the satisfaction of all sections of society. This framing presented a clear dichotomy between two distinct approaches to governance – one driven by cynical vote-bank politics, and the other grounded in a more comprehensive and equitable vision. The 10% reservation for economically backward groups, implemented by the BJP, was presented as a prime example of their commitment to inclusive policies, designed without disadvantaging existing beneficiaries of reservation policies. This comparison highlighted a key difference in the philosophies of the two parties, emphasizing the BJP’s inclusive approach versus what Modi described as Congress's divisive tactics.
Modi's speech was also notable for its personal attacks. His pointed remarks targeting Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, and his references to the Congress's 'family first' policy, emphasized the perceived shortcomings of the opposition party’s leadership and governance style. By focusing on the legacy of Nehru, and the perceived authoritarian tendencies of the Congress during the Emergency, Modi sought to establish a contrast with the BJP's self-projected image of decisive and reformist governance. This strategy aimed to firmly position the BJP as a party committed to upholding democratic values and pursuing policies for the benefit of all citizens, irrespective of caste or creed, a claim directly contradicted by his opponents' alleged past actions. The overall tone of the speech was aggressive, firmly placing the BJP’s narrative at the forefront of the Rajya Sabha debate.
Source: 'Vote Ki Kheti': Caste To Constitution, PM Modi Tears Into Congress In Rajya Sabha Speech