Narendra Modi’s reply to President’s address debate lacked self-confidence

It was a shaken and short of self confidence Narendra Modi on July 2 in Parliament.. Notwithstanding being insipid and incoherent, his reply to motion on President’s speech was purely an attempt to gain back his aura of “Political Invincibility”, which unfortunately he could not accomplish. Modi having the reputation of a flawless orator and articulator of ideas, was falling short of words to convey his mind. He was seen faltering and getting stuck up midway.

Unlike his earlier speeches, on Tuesday , he read out from the script with frequently sipping water kept on his desk, after every couple of sentences.

There is no ambiguity that lowered the prestige of Lok Sabha while replying to motion of thanks on President’s speech, by resorting to frequent use of unparliamentary language and derogatory words against the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. He used the word “jhoot” (lie) an unparliamentary word at least 30 times to ridicule and denigrate Rahul. Though he targeted Rahul, his speech nevertheless sent message that he was tired and defensive. It also manifested that he was feeling helpless, disappointed and bewildered. Had it not been the case, he would not have turned belligerent and vindictive towards Rahul.

His manner and style of delivering the dialogue inside Lok Sabha sent an honest message that he is yet to come out of the power hangover; it still intoxicates him. He had nothing new to say and offer. His speech was more of the nature of street electoral campaign. It lacked seriousness and purpose. His only resolve was to abuse and insinuate Rahul, not even the entire Congress, least to speak of the opposition leaders. His speech was simply rhetoric in nature.

His insinuating Rahul and hurling impolite jibes at him, underscored that he treats him as the main culprit for his defeat in the election. Else there was no reason for Modi to insult and humiliate Rahul hiding behind the facade of mimicry and turning the occasion into a laughter show. Pain of his hurt ego was clearly manifest in Modi requesting Birla to take stern action against Rahul for his attack on him on Tuesday in the house and outright warning the opposition to get ready to face music, that too on the floor of Lok Sabha.

In past the parliament had not witnessed any prime minister behaving in such a ridiculous manner and stooping so low simply for satisfying his ego and showing his opponent in poor light. The house was completely in the state of shock when Modi started enumerating cases pending against Rahul and recalling the National Herald episode. The members were wondering whether he was sending the message that Rahul would be victimised soon?

He spoke for two and half hours ignoring chants of “Manipur, Manipur” for the entire duration as he vociferously attacked Rahul Gandhi and dubbed the Congress a “parasite” party: “Now the Congress will be known as a parasitic Congress from 2024. The Congress that exists in 2024 is a parasitic Congress and a parasite is one that eats the body in which it lives. The Congress also feeds on the votes of the party with which it forms an alliance and prospers at the expense of its ally”.

Master of theatrics and speaking lies, Modi described Rahul as “balak buddhi” (infantile intelligence), twisted his remarks that RSS and BJP leaders and Modi were not thikedars of Hinduism, and accused them of denigrating the Hindu community by terming it “violent”. Simply with the aim to arouse Hindu passion, he resorted to blatant lies by saying; “Today there is a conspiracy to make false allegations against Hindus. A serious conspiracy is going on. It was said that Hindus are violent. These are your values, this is your character, this is your thinking, and this is your hatred? These atrocities against the Hindus of this country… this country is not going to forget this for centuries”.

There is a famous proverb “Kahin par nigahen kahin par nishana” (Looking at one place and aiming at another). Undoubtedly Rahul was the prime target of Modi, but he also intended to warn the RSS in no uncertain words. His giving a clean chit to his own government for its performance during last ten years was a rebuff to the RSS leaders censuring him for his failure and simply trying to project his larger-than-life image. Only just in the middle of the Lok Sabha elections RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s observation on the functioning of the government had created lot of controversy. Truely speaking, Modi tried to kill two birds with one arrow.

Modi is known as a versatile orator who keeps his audience spell bound, but on Thursday he was at his lowest ebb. His attempt to turn a mole into a hill by saying “Now, the Hindu community has to think whether it was a mere sanyog (coincidence) or preparation of a big prayog (experiment).There is a serious conspiracy by the “INDI Alliance” to defame and demean Hindu religion”, got drowned in the opposition chorus “chor chor”.

This was also for the first time in the history of parliament that the opposition interrupted Modi’s speech the moment he began delivering. He was shouted down by the opposition who raised slogans in the Well of the Lok Sabha seeking “justice for Manipur” and repudiating what he said.

Once again, he substantiated the common perception that he has been ruling the country for last ten years on the avaricious use of state machinery instead of resorting to political device. While Rahul Gandhi had floored him using the politics as the tool, Modi on the contrary requested the Speaker Om Birla to take ‘strict action’ over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on his claim of being Hindu. He painted Rahul’s observation as a potential threat to the polity of the nation.

Though before ending his reply Modi tried to portray his old aggressive posture and even claimed “don’t think Modi has changed. He could not be changed”, the fact was otherwise, he tried to present himself as victim and strained to gain the sympathy of the people. His saying; “Modi cannot be scared by such obstacles (the protests). No amount of uproar can suppress the truth. Bahut anand aaya. Aaj maine satya ki taqat kya hoti hai dekh liya (I enjoyed it a lot. Today I realised the strength of truth),” was simply an attempt to hide his nervousness.

The most bizarre was his telling lies and distorting the facts, even after being aware that the people of the country know the truth. As his assertion that people voted for NDA for facilitating Modi to provide a good governance and Congress performing miserably in the Lok Sabha elections and depriving the INDIA constituents of their share of seats.

Nothing could be more blatant lie than this. How could he dare to make people believe his falsehood? The people rejected him and his “guarantees”. He had fought the election on his own credibility and image. His lieutenant J P Nadda had even disowned RSS. The people did not give majority to BJP. Modi had to be content with only 240 seats. The NDA about which he gleefully boasts was formed only after the election results were announced. NDA had ceased to exist since 2014, the year Modi became the prime minister for the first time. Since then, no attempt was made to revive it, as it was not needed; One Modi was more than enough for combined others. (IPA Service)