While Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck a conciliatory note and spoke of many past leaders in his address to both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, he studiously avoided any reference to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
Congress Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma, who spoke just before Mr. Modi, said: “It is good that you are taking note of Gandhiji [who was mentioned in the President’s Address, too]. But what is intriguing is your reluctance to mention or acknowledge the contribution of Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, and universally acknowledged as a statesman.”
The Prime Minister also did not fail to poke fun at Congress Leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, who had cited the Mahabharata to remind the BJP that like the Pandavas, the Congress could come back to power. “As the Mahabharata was mentioned here [Lok Sabha] yesterday, I am reminded of Duryodhana who said he knew dharma and truth but did not have the inclination to follow them. Likewise, they [Congress] also knew what the right thing to do was but they did not do it. We will do it,” he said to the thumping of desks by ruling party MPs.
Mr. Modi also elaborated on the Gujarat model: in his home State, the model had differed from district to district, and now as Prime Minister, he intended to adopt the best practices wherever they were — that was the concept behind the Gujarat model, adapting what was locally suitable, taking inspiration from best practices, regardless of which State they emanated from. He said his government did not believe in a big-brother attitude towards States, but in cooperative federalism.
Mr. Modi said issues such as women’s security and terrorism should not be subjects of antagonistic debates. “I want to appeal to the politicians of the country, stop this psychological analysis of incidents of rape. It does not suit you,” he said in the Lok Sabha. “They are playing with the dignity of our mothers and sisters. Such commentary is not appropriate at the political level.”
