'Last 10 Years Was Just an Appetizer, Main Course Yet to Come': PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: Launching a blistering attack on the Opposition for attempting to "black out" the NDA's victory in the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that a government has retained power for a third consecutive term for the first time in 60 years.

Speaking during the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, "The government has completed 10 years, it has 20 more years to go. Efforts are being made to black out the decision of the people of the country."

The Prime Minister further took a swipe at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, saying previous governments used to be run on "autopilot" and "remote control", even as opposition MPs staged a walkout of the Rajya Sabha. PM Modi said, “There are such people who are used to running the government on autopilot and remote pilot. They don't believe in working.”

"But we leave no stone unturned in hard work. We would step up what we did in the last 10 years. Considering what our dreams are, these 10 years were an appetiser. The main course has started now," the Prime Minister said.

Amid continuous sloganeering by opposition MPs shouting "LoP ko bolne do (let the Leader of Opposition speak)," the Prime Minister, much like in his Lok Sabha speech, was at his combative best during his address in the Rajya Sabha. However, later the Opposition MPs led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge walked out after Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar refused to grant him permission to intervene during the Prime Minister's address.

PM Modi remarked that the opposition evades listening to responses to the questions they raise and only opts to flee. "The country is watching that those who spread lies do not have the strength to hear the truth. They are insulting the Upper House," the Prime Minister said.

Today in his speech, the Prime Minister intensified his criticism of the Congress by targeting them over the Emergency in response to the Opposition's emphasis on the Constitution. "I say with all seriousness that Congress is the biggest opponent of Constitution," he said.