Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday replied to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha, amid heavy sloganeering and protests by opposition MPs. Several opposition members raised slogans like “Let the LoP speak” and “tanashahi nahi chalegi (dictatorship will not be tolerated)” before staging a walkout.

PM Modi’s speech came a day after his scheduled reply in the Lok Sabha could not take place due to disruptions in the House.

During his address, Modi made a remark directed at Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, asking the Chairman to allow him to continue protesting while seated. Modi said, “Looking at the age of Kharge ji, I urge you, the Chairman, to let him sit and sloganeer so that he faces no discomfort. There are young people at the back. So, please permit Kharge ji to sloganeer even while sitting.”

In his reply, the Prime Minister focused on governance, development, and international relations. He strongly criticised the Congress and other opposition parties, accusing them of leaving behind problems that his government is now working to correct.

Modi said the government is spending more time correcting the mistakes of earlier administrations. He stated, “A significant part of our energy is being spent on correcting the mistakes of the past. It takes great effort to erase the image that was created in the minds of the world during that period; they left things in such a damaged state.”

He further added that his government has emphasised future-focused policies. Modi said, “That is why we have placed strong emphasis on future-ready policies. Today, the country is being governed on the basis of policy and strategy. Global trust in India is growing.”

Highlighting his government’s approach, he said, “Guided by the mantra of ‘reform, perform, transform,’ we have moved forward, and the reality today is that the nation has boarded the Reform Express.”

The Prime Minister also targeted the Congress on the issue of farmers. He alleged that the party had ignored small landholding farmers and said his government brought PM-Kisan to address their needs. Modi said, “This Congress party has also betrayed farmers. Our country has around 10 crore farmers who own less than two hectares of land. Congress never cared for them, but we felt their pain; therefore, we introduced the PM Kisan Yojana.”

PM Modi also spoke about remarks made by MPs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and launched a sharp attack on the West Bengal government. He said, “Colleagues from TMC said a lot of things. But they should look within themselves. A cruel government is making new records in all the parameters of downfall. But they are lecturing us here…”

He continued, “Future of the people there is plunging into darkness but they (State Government) do not care. They have no aspirations besides being in power. They are lecturing here.”

Referring to illegal infiltrators, Modi compared the issue with actions taken in other countries. He said, “Prosperous nations of the world are driving out illegal residents from their country. But in our country, pressure is being put on the courts.”

He further questioned those supporting such people and said, “How can the youth of our nation forgive such people who are using everything possible to advocate for the infiltrators?”

The Prime Minister also criticised opposition-led governments, mentioning corruption allegations and attacking them over governance. He said, “One of the MPs was saying a lot of things. His entire government is drowning in liquor.”

He added, “Their 'sheeshmahal' became a reason for hatred in every household...”

Modi then linked multiple opposition parties to corruption discussions in the past. He said, “Be it Congress, TMC, DMK, Left – they were in power at the Centre for decades. They were also in power in states. But during their time, Bofors was mentioned when deals were discussed.”

Speaking on Assam, PM Modi said he was highlighting development failures of earlier governments and not speaking due to elections. He stated, “I am speaking about Assam, and no one should think that I am saying this because of elections. I am compelled to speak because of their (Opposition) failures.”

He added, “The Congress only imagines things; it has little to do with implementation.”

Citing the example of the Bogibeel bridge, he said, “The Bogibeel bridge project in Assam was stalled for many years. Through a focus on progress, we reviewed it and completed a major project that has become a significant facility not just for Assam but for the entire Northeast.”

PM Modi also commented on the quality of debate in the House, saying the opposition missed an opportunity. He said, “I heard the discussion, I felt that the level of discussion should have been a little higher, especially from that side (Opposition side). They have been part of the government for years.”

He added, “The level of discussion from that side should have been a little higher. But they lost even this opportunity.”

The Prime Minister further spoke about India’s growing global importance and increasing international interest in trade relations. Modi said, “Big countries are very eager to have trade relations with India. Be it the trade deal of the European Union or the recent deal with the US.”

He added that the world is praising India’s deals and said, “The entire world is openly praising these trade deals.”

Explaining the impact of the deals, he said, “When we signed the trade deal with the EU, the world became more confident about the greater likelihood of global stability.”

He further added, “After the trade deal with the US, the world became even more confident that with stability, they can sense a speed too. This is a positive sign for the world.”

PM Modi also highlighted India’s role on global platforms, stating that the country is emerging as a key voice for developing nations. He said, “Today, India is a trusted partner of several nations and we are playing our role towards welfare of the world.”

He added, “Today, the entire world speaks of Global South, but as the main character of that discussion, today India has emerged as a strong voice of Global South on global platforms.”

Mentioning multiple international agreements, Modi said, “India is signing future-ready trade deals with several countries.”

He also stated, “In the past few days, we signed trade deals with 9 big and important countries of the world.”

Referring to the European Union deal, he added, “Mother of all deals with 27 countries, with the European Union is one of them.”

Towards the end, PM Modi spoke about the coming years being crucial for the country’s development. He said, “The first quarter of the 21st century has completed. But this second quarter is decisive, just like the second quarter of India's freedom struggle in the last century was.”

He further added, “I can clearly see that in the direction of building Viksit Bharat, this second quarter is going to be equally capable.”

The Prime Minister’s speech in the Rajya Sabha remained politically charged, with repeated criticism of opposition parties, while also focusing on development, reforms, and India’s global standing.