"He absolutely bored me, thought he'd say something new": Priyanka Gandhi on PM Modi's speech in Lok Sabha

New Delhi [India], December 14 : Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in the Lok Sabha, calling it "absolutely boring" and devoid of anything new or constructive.
Speaking to the media, Priyanka Gandhi said, "PM Narendra Modi did not say anything new or constructive. He absolutely bored me. I thought he would say something significant, but he spoke about 11 hollow promises. If he has zero tolerance towards corruption, he should at least hold a debate on Adani."
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav commented that the speech was a reiteration of "11 jumlas."
"It was a very long speech. We got to hear the pledge of 11 jumlas today. Those who criticise dynastic politics have a party full of dynasties. The truth is that the reservation for SC/ST, OBC, and Dalits has been taken away. A day will soon come when a caste census will be conducted, and people will receive their rights and respect according to their population," Yadav said.
Congress MP KC Venugopal also dismissed the speech, claiming it lacked substance.
"It was just a blame game against Congress. Yesterday and today, we exposed that their government is now running for Adani. They talk about the Constitution but are using it to benefit one individual, creating a monopoly. When we discuss the Constitution in Parliament, they show no respect. Today, when the Leader of the Opposition spoke, the PM, Home Minister, and Defence Minister were absent," Venugopal said.
Congress MP Mallu Ravi said the Prime Minister fixated on the Gandhi family.
"He keeps criticising Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. He is focused solely on the Gandhi family, which brought independence and the Constitution to this country. We are upset with this," Ravi said.
Congress MP Praniti Shinde described the PM's speech as a mere blame game.
"His entire speech was just a blame game. Such a speech is unworthy of a Prime Minister. I am shocked he did not use the word 'secular' even once. He should remember that he became Prime Minister through the Constitution, whose foundation was laid by Congress," Shinde said.
Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad expressed disappointment that the PM did not highlight achievements since the adoption of the Constitution.
"It was expected that he would discuss accomplishments and what new initiatives could be undertaken. Instead, he indulged in a blame game, which will not help anyone," Prasad said.
SP MP Iqra Hasan criticised the PM for ignoring local issues in his speech.
"We are disappointed that he (PM Modi) spoke about the Constitution but did not address the issues of Sambhal, law and order in Uttar Pradesh, minority rights, or the Manipur crisis. He failed to address the people's concerns," Hasan said.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the speech fell short of expectations.
"We hoped he would speak on 75 years of constitutional history. Instead, he delivered an election speech. It was completely disappointing. He should have focused on strengthening the Constitution. This was just electoral rhetoric," Tagore said.
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy remarked that while the PM expressed his views, he did not address criticisms.
"He spoke against dynasties but did not respond to questions about riots or atrocities against women. His speech was combative, but he only said what he wanted," Roy said.
On the other hand, NDA leaders praised the Prime Minister's address.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh said, "The PM held up a mirror to the Congress, detailing how they undermined the Constitution during their rule. Congress has tainted the Constitution, and the PM exposed this thoroughly."
BJP MP Ravi Kishan hailed the speech as historic.
"The opposition should learn how a speech is delivered. PM Narendra Modi's decency is the talk of the day. His speech conveyed a strong message to women, youth, tribal communities, and the poor, who benefit from his welfare schemes. His 11 promises reflect a vision to take India to greater heights. The country will become a developed nation well before 2047 and soon the third-largest economy in the world," Kishan said.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad highlighted the Emergency as a dark chapter in India's constitutional history.
"To safeguard one's power, people's rights were snatched, opposition leaders jailed, censorship imposed, and the judiciary overridden. While there is no Emergency now, discussing that black chapter is essential as we reflect on 75 years of the Constitution," Prasad said.