Delhi confidential: ‘Water relief’ during PM Modi’s over 2-hour long address in Lok Sabha

As the PM’s address continued for more than two hours, the protesting MPs looked exhausted.

Motion of Thanks debate, Presidential address, Rahul Gandhi hindu remarks, Narendra Modi’s reply, Delhi confidential, Narendra Modi, Kerala MP Hibi Eden, parliament monsoon session, Indian express news

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to the debate on Motion of Thanks on the President’s address saw some light moments amid protests by Opposition MPs who trooped into the Well of the House, seeking permission from the Chair for the Manipur MP to speak in the debate. As the PM’s address continued for more than two hours, the protesting MPs looked exhausted. Suddenly, the PM tapped on the shoulder of an MP raising slogans in front of his seat and offered him a glass of water.

Congress MP from Kerala Hibi Eden quickly took the glass and gulped down the water, triggering some laughter on both sides. Interestingly, on Monday, Eden had drawn the ire of the Treasury Benches when he raised a point of order during Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s speech to draw the Speaker’s attention to Rule 349(2), which states that members shall not interrupt any MP’s speech in the House by disorderly expression or noises or in any other manner.

Maiden Speech

After four years of his term as a Rajya Sabha MP, BJD’s Muzibulla Khan spoke for the first time in the House during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address. The Odisha MP chose to focus on the greats of politics — from Karpoori Thakur to Chaudhary Charan Singh — cutting across regions and party lines.

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He also lamented how he thought he would learn a lot during his stint as a parliamentarian but never got a chance to speak. Even as the MP exceeded his time, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar made sure he complimented him on his speech.

Eligible Seniors

Talking about the government’s promise of Ayushman Bharat coverage to those above 70 years of age, Union Health Minister J P Nadda, looking towards his fellow parliamentarians, said “we are all in our 60s now but when we turn 70, we will become eligible for coverage under the scheme”.

The minister wanted to demonstrate that the health cover would extend to anyone regardless of their economic status. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar quickly reminded him that he and Congress leader Pramod Tiwari were septuagenarians, hence already eligible for the scheme. Someone pointed out and the Chair acknowledged that Congress leader Jairam Ramesh was also in the same age bracket.