New Delhi: Keeping in view the Parliament’s Winter Session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent out five messages to the Opposition, virtually drawing the battle lines for the coming weeks.
Addressing the media outside the new Parliament building on Monday, Modi urged parties not to indulge in “negative politics” and instead focus on constructive debate. “The people of India want development, not disruption,” he said, taking a clear dig at the Indian bloc’s planned protests over Adani allegations, Manipur violence, and alleged misuse of central agencies.
In a strong defence of the Constitution on its 75th year, the PM cautioned the Opposition against “using Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s name for petty political gains” and reminded them that it was the Congress that imposed the Emergency and amended the Constitution multiple times for selfish reasons.
On national security, Modi asserted that discussions on sensitive border issues should happen behind closed doors, not on streets or in television studios. He also highlighted the government’s readiness to discuss Manipur but only in a spirit of national unity.
As the session got underway on Monday and the Opposition is gearing up for a noisy offensive, Modi’s tone signalled that the ruling NDA was in no mood to play defensive. This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Constitution, and the upcoming days will see a fierce ideological clash both inside and outside Parliament.