5 takeaways from PM Modi’s RS speech: Social justice, to state protests, cites Congress record

Setting the tone for the upcoming general elections and picking up from where he left off in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday continued his attacks on the Congress – challenging the Opposition party on all issues that it has made the centre of its Lok Sabha campaign.

Replying to the debate on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha, after he had done so in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Modi was again silent on other Opposition parties and singled out the Congress.

The main talking points of the Congress which Modi made a point of taking down included its criticism of his government on representation to OBCs, SCs and STs; handling of national and internal security; “injustice” to southern states; attack on federal principles; and assault on constitutional institutions.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi, who is on his second Bharat Jodo Yatra, without naming him, Modi said the Congress had set up a “start-up” for its “prince” which, however, remains a “non-starter”. “Na toh woh lift ho raha hai, na launch ho raha hai (Neither is it getting a lift, nor seeing a launch),” he said.

The PM also exuded confidence about getting a third term in office, framing the objectives and goals of a “Modi 3.0”. Referring to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s remarks that the Congress may not win even 40 seats this time, he said, “Main prarthana karta hun aap 40 bacha payen (I pray that you manage to retain 40).”

The important takeaways from his address in the Rajya Sabha:

The Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi, has been demanding holding of a caste census and talking about abysmal representation of OBCs, SCs and STs at every level. It has also promised to remove the 50% ceiling on reservations through legislation.

In his speech,