Outraged Congress walks out of Rajya Sabha over PM Modi’s ‘raincoat’ jibe at Manmohan

Outside the parliament, Manmohan maintained his trademark calm and simply chose not to respond to questions over the Prime Minister's statement.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. | PTI File Photo
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. | PTI File Photo

NEW DELHI: Stung by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s jibes at his predecessor Manmohan Singh, the Opposition Congress on Wednesday created a ruckus and walked out from the Rajya Sabha during Modi’s speech.

Modi said Singh was involved with the economic policy making of the country for 35 long years and had a lot of clout for half of the period after Independence and many scams were also unearthed during the UPA tenure but the former PM’s image remained unblemished.

Taking a dig at the former PM, Modi said, “People should learn the art of bathing with a raincoat in the bathroom from Doctor Sahab (Dr Manmohan Singh).”

To this, all the Congress MPs erupted in protests after which Modi’s speech was disrupted for a few minutes. Modi could resume his speech only after Chairman of the Upper House Hamid Ansari repeatedly urged the Congress MPs to let the PM continue with his speech. 

Modi, however, continued to target Singh referring to the former PM’s speech in Parliament on the demonetisation issue, saying, “We have the capability to pay back in the same coin in full measure. If anyone speaks such a language, he should also be ready to hear similar words. I have full regard for the democratic traditions and I will respond with full strength within the democratic limitations if someone uses words like loot and blunder.”

In November, Singh had said that the demonetisation and resultant recall of high-value currency notes were being implemented with “monumental mismanagement”. 

Singh had then told the House that deaths and distress among the poor, farmers, women and traders due to demonetisation was akin to “organised loot and legalised plunder”.  

The former PM had then also said that demonetisation will lower the GDP growth rate by two percent.

Continuing with his potshots, Modi wondered if Singh’s speech on demonetisation was written by someone else.

Modi also targeted former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for ignoring an expert committee report on demonetisation saying the problems then were only black money and corruption but now the problems have multiplied manifold as hawala and terror funding have also become issues of serious concern.

Supporting Modi’s diatribe against Singh, Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu shouted in the midst of the ruckus by the Opposition that the Congress had earlier compared the PM with dictators like Hitler and Mussolini.

The PM was replying to the motion of thanks on the President’s address to the joint session of Parliament.

Before Modi’s speech, Congress leader Anand Sharma also slammed the Government for coining terms like SCAM, 3-D (Democracy, Development and Demography besides Start Up India, Stand Up India and not taking any policy decisions for progress development of country or address the relevant challenges.

The Prime Minister further said that the fight against corruption and black money is not a political fight, and it is not to single out any particular party. He emphasized that corruption has adversely impacted the aspirations of the poor and the middle class. He said that those who are cheating the system will have to be dealt with toughness, so that the hands of the poor are strengthened. 

Modi said that about 700 Maoists surrendered after demonetization and this number is increasing.

Modi said that there is today a horizontal divide – in which - on one side are the people of India and the Union Government, and on the other side are a group of political leaders. 

He further said the Government is working to correct the wrongs that have entered the society and the systems. He also emphasised that India should continuously move forward for practical change, and never underestimate the strength of the country. 

The PM said that institutions should be kept above politics, and the Reserve Bank of India should not be dragged into a controversy. 

He also said that on matters related to governance, a lot has been done which has given strength to the common man. He mentioned the transparency that has been brought in the Government procurement process, through Government e-Marketplace. 

The Prime Minister congratulated the Media for furthering the message of Swachh Bharat and creating awareness. He added that sanitation coverage in the rural areas has increased. He said that cleanliness should become a public movement, and everyone should work towards this cause. 

Under the “Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat” initiative, people will get an opportunity to learn about and appreciate the culture and capabilities of various parts of the country, he added. 

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