What PM Modi said about Manipur and no-trust motion in Parliament. 10 points

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on Thursday (August 10) following the presentation of a no-confidence motion by Opposition parties regarding the PM's response to the Manipur violence.

In a strong criticism of the Opposition parties, PM Modi stated that the no-confidence motion has historically favored them and he believes this one will also lead to the BJP securing a record-breaking mandate in 2024.

As PM Modi spoke, his MPs chanted 'Modi, Modi' slogans in Parliament, while Opposition leaders chanted 'Manipur, Manipur.' Opposition members, including Rahul Gandhi, left the Lok Sabha during the latter part of PM Modi's speech.

Speaking on the ongoing violence in Manipur, PM Modi said that the matter is currently in court and expressed confidence that peace will be restored in the northeastern state in the near future. "Manipur will move forward with renewed confidence," he said.

VIDEO | "Serious crime against women took place in Manipur and it is unforgivable. The central and state governments are making all possible efforts to ensure strictest punishment to those guilty. I want to assure people of the country that peace will be restored and Manipur will… pic.twitter.com/78ipi2pMAL

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 10, 2023

Here are ten key points from PM Modi's speech:

• PM Narendra Modi spoke about Manipur, emphasizing that both the Centre and the state government are taking action to bring those responsible to justice. "I want to reassure the nation that peace will be restored in Manipur in the near future," he said. "Both the state and central governments are committed to ensuring the strictest punishment for the accused. I want to assure the people of Manipur, including its women and daughters, that the entire country stands with you."
• PM Modi responded to Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Mata' remark made in Parliament on Wednesday. "I am unsure why some envision the demise of Bharat Maa," PM Modi remarked. Rahul had previously stated, "You have killed Bharat Mata in Manipur. Your politics hasn't killed Manipur, but it has killed India in Manipur. You are not saviors of Bharat Mata; you are her killers."

VIDEO | "There will be peace again in Manipur. I want to assure people of Manipur that the state will soon be back on the path of development and we will leave no stones unturned for this. Whatever was said about 'Maa Bharti' in this House has hurt the sentiments of people of the… pic.twitter.com/8bmdbFCja9

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 10, 2023

• Criticizing the Opposition's stance on the Manipur issue, PM Modi stated, "We invited them (Opposition) to participate in a discussion on Manipur. The Home Minister sent a letter inviting them to engage in a conversation about Manipur. However, they lacked the courage and intention to do so."
• PM Modi took a swipe at the INDIA alliance, remarking, "They believe they can seize power simply by changing the alliance's name." He pointed out that the Opposition needed the 'NDA' to stay relevant and added two 'I's out of arrogance. PM Modi referred to this as the 'Ghamandia' alliance, suggesting everyone in it aspires to be the 'groom.'

• PM Modi highlighted the need for discussions on important bills aimed at people's welfare. He criticized the Opposition's focus solely on politics. "For the Opposition, the party takes precedence over the nation; they are more concerned with power than with the people's needs," he stated.
• PM Modi acknowledged the repeated trust shown by the people of the country in the BJP government. "I am here to express my gratitude to the millions of people in the country," Modi said. He recalled that a no-confidence motion was also brought forward in 2018. "I had said it was their floor test, not that of the government, and I was proven right," the PM remarked.
• During this no-confidence motion, an unusual situation arose. "The name of the Leader of the Opposition was conspicuously absent from the list of speakers for the no-confidence motion," PM Modi noted. He questioned why Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was "prevented" from speaking in Parliament on Wednesday. "Perhaps there was a phone call from Kolkata," he suggested.

• PM Modi again targeted the Opposition, claiming that they possess a "secret power." He said anyone they wish ill upon is instead blessed. PM Modi criticized the Opposition for using "offensive" language against him and pointed out their favorite slogan, 'Modi teri kabra khudegi' (Modi, your grave will be dug).
• PM Modi addressed the Opposition's criticisms of the government's aerospace firm, HAL, stating that despite their doubts, it has achieved new heights of success. "The Opposition spread doubts about LIC, but the insurance firm is also reaching new heights," he added.
• Condemning the Congress party, PM Modi stated that their arrogance has blinded them to ground realities, leading to a deep lack of confidence in the party. "People from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, UP, Gujarat, Bihar, Tripura, and Odisha have expressed no confidence in Congress for years," he concluded.

No-confidence motion

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi had initiated the debate on Tuesday (August 8), leading to passionate discussions between government and Opposition leaders in Parliament over the past two days.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who made a comeback to the Parliament after the Supreme Court suspended his conviction in a 2019 defamation case, on Wednesday (August 9) accused the government of splitting Manipur and asserting that BJP's strategies in the region have harmed the nation.

However, an unexpected controversy arose when Gandhi's alleged flying kiss to Lok Sabha members caused uproar and complaints from female MPs who deemed it "inappropriate" and "distasteful."