Salient Points of PM Modi’s reply to ‘Motion of Thanks’ to the President’s address, in Lok Sabha on 07 Feb, 2017

• Various members of the House added vigour into the debate & shared insightful points. I thank the MPs for their participation

• How can someone see ‘SEVA’ or any positive virtue in the word ‘SCAM’

• There is something very special about ‘Jan Shakti’

• We remember how democracy was under threat from 1975 to 1977, when opposition leaders were jailed, newspaper freedom curtailed

• It is due to this ‘Jan Shakti’ that the person born to a poor family can become the Prime Minister of India

• There are many people like me, who could not die for the nation during the freedom struggle but we are living for India & serving India

• Somewhere on the way, ‘Jan Shakti’ was forgotten. We do not accept this

• Let us understand & appreciate the inherent strength of our people & take India to newer heights. Faith in Jan Shakti will give results

• I had said it from the Red Fort- every Prime Minister has contributed to the nation

• I was surprised that there were some who made cleanliness also a political issue. Why can’t we work together on ushering a Swachh Bharat

• When Rail budget was first presented, the transport sector was different. Now things are different & a more comprehensive look is needed

• From Day 1, we have been clear- we are ready for a discussion on demonetisation but some were more keen on TV bytes & not debates

• पहले होता था – कितना गया, अब होता है – मोदी जी कितना लाये…this is how discourse has changed after we have assumed office

• It does not matter how big you are, you will have to give back what belongs to the poor. My fight is for the poor

• My fight is for the poor and giving the poor their due. This fight will continue

• आप कितने भी बड़े क्यों न हो, आपको गरीबों के हक का लौटना पड़ेगा। मैं गरीबों के लिए लड़ता रहा हूँ और आगे भी लड़ता रहूँगा

• We do not see everything from the prism of elections. The interests of the nation are supreme for us

• When can you have an operation? When the body is healthy. The economy was doing well and thus our decision was taken at the right time

• Like Swachh Bharat, the decision on demonetisation is a movement to clean India (from corruption and black money)

• नोटबंदी के दौरान एक तरफ देश को लूटने वाले लोग थे और दूसरी तरफ ईमानदारी का प्रयास किया जा रहा था

• Why was it that there were crop insurance schemes earlier but farmers were not keen to avail of the benefits

• हमारी देश की सेना का हम जितना गुणगान करें, उतना कम है। हमारी सेना इस राष्ट्र की रक्षा के लिए पूर्ण रूप से सामर्थ्यवान है

(The views expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the position of the organisation)