'Those focused on jacuzzi, photo-sessions with poor...': Modi targets opposition
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a veiled dig at former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the "Sheesh Mahal" controversy. Speaking in Parliament during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, PM Modi said, "Some leaders are focused on jacuzzies and stylish showers in their homes, but we are focused on bringing water to every house." This was a reference to allegations that Kejriwal spent ₹45 crore renovating his official residence.
Renovation costs
CAG report details Kejriwal's renovation expenses
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had reported that the renovation of Kejriwal's residence included costs of ₹33.66 crore. The expenses included luxury items such as curtains, kitchen equipment, and gym equipment. PM Modi contrasted these expenses with his government's commitment to honesty and saving public money. He said, "Earlier, the media headline used to be about scams...Now we have..been able to save lakhs of crores of public money."
Budget criticism
PM Modi criticizes Rahul Gandhi's budget session remarks
PM Modi also took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for calling President Droupadi Murmu's Budget session address "boring." He implied that those who engage in "photo sessions in the huts of the poor" would find discussions about poverty boring. The prime minister highlighted his government's achievements in poverty alleviation, claiming that 25 crore people were lifted out of poverty during the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s rule.
Poverty pledge
PM Modi accuses Congress of failing to deliver on poverty
PM Modi also accused the Congress of not living up to its decades-old "gareebi hatao" slogan. He said his government gave real development by giving four crore houses to the poor. He also quoted former Congress PM Rajiv Gandhi's statement that only a fraction of aid from Delhi reached the poor. But unlike "Mr. Clean (Rajiv)," his government directly deposited ₹40 lakh crore to beneficiaries.
Twitter Post
Our model is 'Bhachat bhi Vikas bhi': Modi
#WATCH | In Lok Sabha, PM Modi says, "A PM was there in our country who identified one problem and said that when One Rupee was sent from Delhi, only 15 paise reached the bottom...who was getting the 15 paise this everyone can understand...at that time there was only party from… pic.twitter.com/U2M3bd6Myt
— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2025