Finish BJP's divisive people before they finish you:Cong to PM

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress today said US President had dropped the "bomb" of reminding Indians about secularism because of his silence over divisive comments by BJP leaders and asked him to "finish such people around you before they finish you".

Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge referred to Modi's comments against divisiveness at a Christian conference here last week and said had he spoken such words earlier, he would not have had to opt for Ordinances as opposition would have worked with him.

As Modi listened, Kharge referred to him several times while participating (rpt) participating in the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President's Address.

"Finish such people around you before they finish you," the Congress leader said addressing Modi who sat through in the House during much of the debate.

He said the ruling party MPs were elected in Modi's name not BJP's and they would listen to what he says. "I hope there is no double standard and action will follow words. Or it will harm the country."

Kharge said it was due to Modi's silence that US President Barack Obama "drops a bomb by reminding us about Article 25 of the Consitution", which gives people right to choose and propogate any faith of their choice.

"This is the first time you are here (in House) for so long and I hope you respond to these points... Recently you spoke about your government's commitment to people's right to choose their faith and propogate it. This is what we had been demanding in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

"If you had spoken here, things would have calmed down. Your government would not have to issue so many Ordinances and we could have worked together," he said.

The row over controversial comments made by BJP members had washed out most of proceedings in the Rajya Sabha in the last session and affected work in the Lok Sabha as well.

In a speech, in which he often took jibe at treasury benches, Kharge said BJP members had brooms in their hand but garbage in their ideas which cannot bring about 'Swachh Bharat', Modi's pet cleanliness scheme, as he raked up controversial comments made by BJP leaders.
Referring to speeches made by BJP members, he said they try to give an impression that all good things happened only during the last nine months.

"A nation is not made in a day or year and the democracy which allowed you to come in such large numbers was built in last 60 years," he said.

Most of the schemes started by the BJP government were nothing but a "renaming" of projects started by the previous UPA governments, he said.

Earlier, initiating the debate on the Motion, Anurag Thakur (BJP) said what the Narendra Modi government has achieved in six months could not be achieved by successive governments in 60 years.

In an apparent dig at the previous UPA government, he said inflation is at an all-time low as compared to the past 10 years.

Referring to Modi's monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme, he said the PM has effectively used the medium, forgotten now, to directly connect with the people.

His reference to 'housing-for-all' by 2022 drew sarcasm from the opposition benches who wanted to know as to how will the project be funded.

When Thakur referred to the model village scheme announced by Modi and asked all MPs to pitch in, it drew another wave to sarcasm. Congress and other members were heard asking what good a model village would do when the villagers are facing hunger.

As Kharge was concluding his points, Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai ruled that the reference made to the US President by name while attacking the government on communal harmony should be removed from the proceedings of the House.

He, however, said the reference made by Kharge about Obama would remain part of the proceedings.

He said "bringing name of a foreigner" he personally thinks, "is no correct".
Some Congress leaders initially thought that the Deputy Speaker wants the entire reference to Obama be removed.

But Kharge agreed when Thambidurai explained that his remarks about Obama would remain part of the proceedings, but only his name would be removed. The proceedings would now record Barack Obama by his designation -- the US President.

Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD), while speaking on the Motion, lauded the government efforts towards cleanliness.

He picked holes in the name of NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog, wondering how an institution could also be Aayog (Commission).

He demanded to know from the government why Odisha cannot be granted the status of a special category state when it has given the same to Andhra Pradesh.

Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena) said the Centre has done a commendable job in its initiatives of Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG subsidies and also in its promise for housing for all.