Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashing out at the attitude of the Congress party, said today that the party feels only one family got Independence for India and the root of the problem lies there. Replying to the discussion on motion of thanks to President Pranab Mukherjee’s address in Lok Sabha, he deplored in the process contribution of leaders like Bhagat Singh and Veer Savarkar were simply ignored.

Coming down heavily on Congress, the Prime Minister said, everyone remembers how democracy was under threat from 1975 to 1977, when opposition leaders were jailed and newspaper freedom was curtailed. The Prime Minister said, there are many people like him those who are born post-independence, who could not die for the nation during the freedom struggle, but are living for India and serving the country.

Reacting to the Opposition protests against the Budget being presented ahead of elections in five states, he made it clear that his government do not see everything from the prism of elections and the interests of the nation are supreme for it. He said, now, middlemen no longer enjoy the benefits they did and the government has stopped the corruption and loot.

Calling for holding simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and the State legislative assemblies, Modi said political parties must think over it. He said it will help in managing expenditure

Attacking Opposition over demonetization, he said, “from day 1, we have been clear – we are ready for a discussion on demonetization but some were more keen on TV bytes and not debates.” “Since economy was in strong condition, timing of demonetization was the best,” he added.

The Prime Minister also asked the opposition party why the Benami law passed during former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure in 1988 was not notified for 26 years. He said, today everyone should join hands to develop India and take the country to newer heights.