NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a scathing attack on the grand old party by criticizing Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi for repeatedly misusing Article 356 to topple state governments led by non-Congress parties.
PM Modi on Thursday alleged that Congress dispensations including those led by Ex-Prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and India Gandhi used Article 356 of the Constitution at least 90 times to topple state governments of many regional outfits. He said in Parliament that Indira Gandhi alone used Article 356 to topple governments of regional parties in states as many as 50 times.
The Prime Minister even questioned the DMK, TDP, Left, and Sharad Pawar's NCP for joining forces with the Congress, which had overthrown their governments in the past.
"Just keep in mind that Pandit Nehru did not like the Left government that was elected in Kerala, which is why they have support now. Within a short period of time, the first elected administration was dismissed. As you stand there right now, consider what has happened to you "he aid.
He also attempted to remind the DMK that the same Congress earlier toppled the administrations of steadfast leaders like M G Ramachandran and M Karunanidhi in Tamil Nadu.
"Wherever you are, MGR's spirit must be keeping an eye on you. The senior member of this House, Mr. Sharad Pawar, who I have always regarded as a respected leader, is seated here. In 1980, Sharad Pawar ji was in his mid-to-late 35s. A youthful chief minister volunteered to serve his country; his administration was overthrown, but he is still there today"said Modi.
Up to 1959, the Jawaharlal Nehru administration employed Article 356 six times. The Article was then used 11 times in the 1960s, and once Indira Gandhi came to power, she used it seven more times between 1967 and 1969. PM Modi continued by saying that certain people become angry and their blood begins to boil if Nehru's name is not mentioned. They query the omission of Nehru's name.
"We would fix our error if Nehru Ji's name was omitted, as he served as the nation's first prime minister. But I fail to comprehend why anyone from his family is reluctant to continue using the Nehru surname. Is it embarrassing to have the last name Nehru? What's the big deal? Why do you keep interrogating us when the family isn't ready to accept such a terrific personality? " he asked.
The opposition was calling for a joint parliamentary committee investigation into the Adani-Hindenburg Research when PM Modi made fun of the Congress party.
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