Emergency a 'black spot', says PM in jibe at Congress

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Monday that his government will strive to take everyone along and build a consensus but also took a swipe at the Congress over the Emergency, calling it a “black spot” on democracy when the Constitution was “discarded”.

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Speaking to reporters minutes before the start of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, Modi said the BJPled National Democratic Alliance’s electoral victory was proof that the people have put their stamp of approval on his government’s intentions, policies and commitments towards them.

With the Congress and the Opposition, in general, targeting his government over a host of issues, including the choice for pro-tem Speaker, Modi’s customary pre-session remarks carried barbs for his rivals as he said that people want debate and diligence, and not drama and disturbance, in Parliament.

People want substance, not slogans, the Prime Minister told reporters, in an apparent reference to several previous sessions that were marred by the absence of a debate due to adjournments caused by frequent run-ins between the treasury and opposition benches. Buoyed by its strong show in the Lok Sabha polls, in which the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a majority but with reduced numbers, the opposition INDIA bloc is expected to turn up its aggression inside and outside Parliament.