PM Modi takes dig at Rahul Gandhi's hug in final Lok Sabha speech, pitches for a majority government
PM Modi, in his final speech in Lok Sabha ahead of general elections, said India suffered globally for long due to fractured mandates, claiming that a majority government has helped its global image.
Published: 13th February 2019 05:56 PM | Last Updated: 13th February 2019 06:00 PM | A+A A-

Prime Minister in his final Lok Sabha speech on 13 February 2019. (Photo | ANI)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took potshots at Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress president's claim of an "earthquake" if he speaks on Rafale jet deal fell flat.
Modi, in his final speech in Lok Sabha ahead of general elections, pitched for a majority government, saying the country's image had enhanced globally due to the electoral mandate enjoyed by the current dispensation.
Taking a swipe at Gandhi, who was not present in the House at that time, Modi referred to the Congress president's remarks on Rafale, and the hug and "winking" episodes, saying it was a new thing he witnessed as a first time member of Parliament.
ALSO READ: CAG finds NDA deal for 36 Rafale jets 2.86 per cent cheaper than UPA's
The Prime Minister praised Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's leadership and said eight of 17 sessions of this Lok Sabha had over 100 per cent productivity.
The overall productivity was recorded at over 85 per cent.
He said India suffered globally for long due to fractured mandates.
PM Modi in Lok Sabha: We will be proud of this 16th Lok Sabha, as it saw the highest number of women members elected to the House. 44 first time women MPs were time elected to the Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/XIRpt0Dny1
— ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019
But now it is taken seriously in the global arena because of the majority government, he said.
The PM maintained that neither he nor External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj are responsible for India's enhanced image globally.
He said the credit goes to the majority the government enjoys in Lok Sabha.
The credit, he said, goes to the people of the country.
Referring to the achievements of his government, he said, India has become the 6th largest economy and is fast moving towards being a USD 5 trillion economy.
The 16th Lok Sabha passed 203 bills out of 219 introduced, including one on curbing black money.