PM calls Prez speech ‘inspiring’, Congress says ‘recycled ritual’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday described President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of both the Houses at the commencement of the Budget session of Parliament as “inspiring”, while opposition Congress dismissed it as “recycled ritual,” and “claims without truth or accountability.”

Calling the President’s address “comprehensive and insightful,” the Prime Minister said it reflected India’s remarkable development journey in recent times while showing a clear direction for the future.

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”The emphasis on building a Viksit Bharat was perfectly captured, reflecting our shared aspiration of building a strong and self-reliant nation. It reaffirmed our collective commitment to further speed up the Reform Express and the emphasis on innovation and good governance,” he added.

“In our Parliamentary traditions, this address has a special importance, as it spells out the policy direction and collective resolve that will guide our nation’s developmental journey in the coming months. The address also covered a wide range of themes, highlighting sustained efforts for farmers, youth, the poor, and the downtrodden. It reaffirmed our collective commitment to further speed up the Reform Express and the emphasis on innovation and good governance,” the PM said on ‘X’

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, however, wrote it off, saying: “Every year the Union Cabinet clears the President’s Address like a recycled ritual, reusing the same set of claims without truth or accountability. The slogan of Viksit Bharat is repeated loudly, yet it carries no clear goals, no timelines and no measurable outcomes.

“While making lofty speeches on “development,” the anti-poor, pro-crony Modi Govt has mercilessly dismantled MGNREGA — an Act that guaranteed the Right to Work; snatching away the only source of livelihood for crores of workers. What kind of Viksit Bharat is this, where the poor are denied the means to survive, and dignity is sacrificed for slogans?” Kharge questioned.

The President’s reference to the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act during her address also triggered protests from opposition parties, which raised slogans demanding the rollback of the law set to replace MGNREGA.