Discussion continues on Motion of Thanks on President’s Address in Parliament today

The Lok Sabha yesterday took up the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on President’s Address to the joint houses of Parliament.

Speaking during the discussion, Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized the President’s speech, calling it a repeat of previous years and a ‘laundry list’ of government achievements. Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about unemployment, stressing that the future of the country depends on the youth. He said the government has failed to address the unemployment issue despite the country’s growth. He pointed out that manufacturing’s share of GDP has dropped from 15.3 per cent to 12.6 per cent, the lowest in the past 60 years. 

Mr Gandhi also criticized the government’s flagship ‘Make in India’ initiative, saying it had a good concept but failed in implementation. He added that, despite India’s resources, the country has fallen behind others in organizing production and emphasized the need to focus on production. He concluded by reaffirming that the Constitution is supreme and will continue to guide the country.

Earlier, BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, moving the motion, listed the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government, including public welfare schemes. He attacked the AAP-led Delhi government for allegedly failing to implement central schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the capital. Bidhuri also accused the Delhi government of working against the interests of JJ colonies. He mentioned



steps taken by the central government to provide ownership rights to residents of 1,700 unauthorized colonies in Delhi. Mr Bidhuri also raised issues of poor road conditions, air pollution, and public transport in the city. He further accused former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of lavish spending on his official residence.

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that Congress is uncomfortable whenever the Maha Kumbh is mentioned, noting that thirty-five crore people have participated in the event so far. He accused Congress of feeling entitled to govern the country.

Other MPs also raised concerns during the discussion. Naresh Chandra Uttam Patel of the SP pointed out the absence of a mention of the Minimum Support Price, MSP guarantee in the President’s address.

Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar of the TMC criticized the omission of food inflation and farm loan waivers.

Arvind Ganpat Sawant of Shiv Sena, UBT spoke about schemes benefiting farmers but raised concerns about disparities in the education system.

The discussion saw participation from several other MPs, including K. Kanimozhi of DMK, JD(U)’s Dileshwar Kamait, IUML’s ET Mohammed Basheer, RLD’s Rajkumar Sangwan, BJP’s Ganesh Singh, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Rodmal Nagar, and RJD’s Abhay Kumar Sinha. 

However, the debate remained inconclusive. The House was adjourned and will reconvene today at 11 AM.