Nation witnessed negativity today, PM Modi takes on Rahul Gandhi in LS

"Today the nation has seen the negativity expressed by some members. India saw how some people are so deeply opposed to development," Modi said while making an address at the Lok Sabha.

Chandrababu Naidu's TDP has brought the no-confidence motion, demanding a special status for Andhra Pradesh. The motion is supported by the Congress, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Taking a dig at the Congress party, Modi said, "If you were not prepared for the debate why did you bring the motion? Why were you trying to delay the motion."

He said Oppositions on Friday exhibited "sheer arrogance."  "The only thing they have to say- remove Modi," he said.

Modi said, "In the morning, the voting was not over, the debate was also not over, one member comes running to me saying- Utho Utho Utho...What is his hurry to come to power? Let me tell this member it is the people who elected us. That is how we have come here."

He urged oppositions to not run down people's trust. He claimed that the floor test is for oppositions not for government.

"We are here because we have the blessings of 125 crore Indians. We are not here for selfish interests," said he.

Modi said he served the nation with the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'( Development for All and We are With All).

Presenting a report card of his government, the PM said, "Our government has the honour of working towards the electrification of 18,000 villages that were in the dark for 70 years. Most of these villages were situated in Eastern India and the Northeast."

He claimed that his government has opened bank accounts for the poor.

Slamming the Congress further, "Earlier, the doors of the banks never opened for the poor. Women are leading a smoke-free life due to Ujjwala Yojana. Toilets have been constructed across India at a record pace."

"It is this Government that is bringing a programme like Ayushman Bharat that will give top quality healthcare to the poor," he added.

The Indian economy is being strengthened and India is also strengthening the global economy, claimed the PM.

Modi said the fight against black money is going to continue.

"I know I have made many enemies due to this but it is fine," said he.

Speaking on Congress President Rahul Gandhi's allegations, PM Modi said, "Due to one careless allegation in the House on Rafale, both nations had to release statements."

"My appeal to the Congress is please do not bring politics in national security," said he.

Attacking the Congress further, "You called the surgical strike a Jumla Strike. You can abuse me as much as you want. Stop insulting the Jawans of India.I will not tolerate this insult to our armed forces."

Slamming Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Modi said, "I read a statement- "who says we do not have the numbers." See her arrogance. I was reminded about 1999 then she stood outside Rashtrapati Bhavan and said- we have 272 and more are joining us. She destabilised Atal Ji's Government and never formed one herself."

He accused the Congress of buying votes with the power of notes. The PM also defended his government on the banking scams.

The speech of the PM came after Rahul Gandhi claimed in Parliament on Friday that he had learnt from the French President that there was no secrecy clause in the Rafale aircraft deal. The French Embassy in New Delhi issued a statement during the day to cite an India Today interview of their President and affirmed that the deal was sensitive and hence the details cannot be revealed.

The statement by the French Embassy put Congress in a spot and it appeared that Rahul Gandhi probably lied on the issue going by the reaction of France, as it said that India is bound by the secrecy clause.

It said: "We have noted the statement of Mr Rahul Gandhi before the Indian Parliament. France and India concluded in 2008 a Security agreement, which legally binds the two States to protect the classified information provided by the partner, that could impact security and operational capabilities of the defence equipment of India or France."

"These provisions naturally apply to the IGA concluded on 23 September 2016 on the acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft and their weapons. As the President of the French Republic indicated publicly in an interview given to India Today on 9th March 2018, « In India and in France, when a deal is very sensitive, we can’t reveal all details »," the statement by French Embassy in New Delhi read.

Targetting Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly during his speech on the No Confidence Motion in Lok Sabha on Friday,  Rahul Gandhi said Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lied about the facts of the Rafale deal and a secrecy clause under pressure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress president said he came to know from French President Emmanuel Macron himself that there was no secret pact between India and France.