KOLAGHAT (WB), Aug 12 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a blistering attack
on the opposition parties, accusing them of “running away” from the Lok Sabha during a debate on the
no-confidence motion, and said his government has countered the “negativity being spread” by them
across the country.
He also accused the opposition of “not being serious” about the discussion on Manipur as “it would
have hurt them the most”.
PM Modi said an opportunity to find solutions through debates in Parliament could not be utilised as the
opposition parties “prioritised their politics over people’s welfare”.
In an apparent reference to the PM’s allegation, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee claimed
that the Centre has “not taken any action against those involved in unleashing atrocities in Manipur”.
The prime minister, who virtually addressed the Panchayati Raj Parishad in West Bengal, criticised the
ruling TMC for using “terror and threats” to intimidate the opposition parties in the state during the
rural polls last month but acting as “champions of democracy”.
“Only two days back, we had defeated the opposition’s no-confidence motion in Parliament. We had
also defeated the negativity being spread by them. The whole country has seen the opposition running
away from the House. Unfortunately, they betrayed the people of Manipur,” he said.
The no-confidence motion against the Modi government was defeated through a voice vote in the Lok
Sabha on Thursday after opposition MPs staged a walkout.
A no-confidence motion is a formal proposal moved by a member against the government in Lok Sabha
under Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the lower House of Parliament.
Before the commencement of the session, the government had written a letter to the opposition
parties, saying that the Centre wanted to discuss the Manipur issue, PM Modi said.
“But what happened, you all have seen? The opposition didn’t allow it to happen. Had there been a
discussion on such a sensitive subject, the people of Manipur would have felt relieved. Some solutions
would have emerged to address that issue.
“But the opposition parties did not want to discuss it as they knew that the truth of Manipur would sting
them the most,” PM Modi said at the BJP event.
He also alleged that the opposition parties “were not serious” about any discussion, and they “just
wanted to do politics” over the Manipur issue.
“They don’t care about the pain and suffering of people. All they care about is politics. That was why
they chose to avoid the discussion and prioritised political debates by moving the no-confidence
motion,” he said.
Banerjee, however, claimed that the BJP government at the Centre “has not taken any action against
those involved in atrocities in the northeastern state”.
Notably, more than 160 people lost their lives and several hundred were injured since the ethnic clashes
broke out in Manipur on May 3, after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to
protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley.
Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.
Claiming that the central government had defeated the no-confidence motion of the opposition parties
in Parliament with the blessings of 140 crore Indians, PM Modi also urged BJP workers to unmask them
before the people of the country.
“The opposition might disrupt the proceedings of the House, but BJP workers and representatives must
unmask them before the masses,” he said.
“The faith of people inspires me and boosts my confidence and vigour,” he said, referring to the defeat
of the no-confidence motion in Parliament.
Alleging that the “ruling TMC let loose a reign of terror” in West Bengal during the rural polls, PM Modi
said people of the state have blessed BJP candidates despite threats.
“Recently, panchayat elections were held in Bengal. The entire nation saw how the TMC unleashed a
bloody game. Violence has been used as a means to threaten the opposition. The ‘tolabaz’ army of TMC
looted votes. This is TMC’s politics. But despite this, the love of the people of Bengal has led to the
victory of BJP candidates,” he said.
PM Modi also claimed that “those who act as champions of democracy and question EVM” at the drop
of a hat had “undermined” the democratic process in Bengal.
Banerjee, however, said, “In West Bengal, 15-16 people have been killed by them (BJP) during the recent
rural polls. They are giving indulgence.”
