PM Modi addresses Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks on President's address. This was a special election. After decades, a government was elected back to power with such a large mandate. These elections were contested by the country's people, not the parties. People themselves made sure that the government's words and actions reach every corner. It's my good fortune that I could meet people from every counter.

Here are the highlights of the PM Modi speech:

1. There's a limit to pride. Congress losing doesn't mean India has lost. Did India lose the election in Raebareli and Wayanand? Did India lose in Amethi too?
2. It hurts me to see parties insulting our voters, our farmers. To say, our farmers sold their soul for Rs 2000, that is shameful!
3. By saying farmers sold themselves just because of Rs 2,000 scheme is an insult to farmers. I am shocked, even media was abused, it was said elections were won because of the media. What do such ppl mean? That media is on sale? Does same logic apply to Tamil Nadu and Kerala?
4. Do our friends in the Congress Party feel if they do not win, India does not win? Are India and the Congress Party the same thing? No, they are not. Important to respect our electoral process and democracy.
5. I was saddened when some leaders said- the BJP and allies won the elections but the nation lost, democracy lost. I want to clearly say that such statements are unfortunate.  Why question the wisdom of voters?
6. Some people kept raising the EVM issue in this House. I want to tell them there was a time when we had just 2 MPs in Parliament. People made fun of us. But, we worked harder and won trust of people. We did not make excuses and blame polling booth.
7. The first discussion on EVM began in 1977. The first application of the EVM was in 1988.
8. There have been so many elections with EVMs and parties that are present in the Rajya Sabha have got opportunities to govern in different states after elections were held through EVMs. Then, why question EVMs today?
9. Election Commission had invited parties on the issue of EVMs but just two parties accepted- CPI and NCP. I appreciate them for going to EC to learn more about the issue. But, why did the rest of the parties questioning the EVMs not even bother to go, they should answer.
10. Congress can't digest wins and can't accept defeats.
11. This same attitude is visible when it comes to discussing 'One Nation, One Election.' Yes, some may not like this idea or have views on this. But, it is important to present these ideas and have discussions on this.
12. Odisha is an excellent example of maturity of voters in India. BJD was voted into power in Assembly elections while BJP at national level.
13. Now they are slamming New India. Do they want old India back? Old India where cabinet decisions were torn in press meets, old India where Navy was used for personal trips, old India where numerous scams existed, old India which supported tukde tukde gang?
14. The lynching in Jharkhand has pained me. It has saddened others too.But, some here in the Rajya Sabha are calling Jharkhand a hub of lynching. Is this fair? Why are they insulting a whole state? None of us have the right to insult the state of Jharkhand
15. I think Azad sahab (Ghulam Nabi Azad) is having blurred vision, maybe he is seeing everything from political spectacles. Ghalib said something for such people "ta umr Ghalib ye bhool karta raha, dhool chehre pe thi, aaina saaf karta raha"
16. I am sure there is no one in this house who will not like India to be part of the 5 trillion-dollar economy club. Please gives us constructive suggestions, we are open to all suggestions, we don't believe only we have all the intellect.
17. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a Congress leader; party members should at least go once to pay respect to him at the Statue of Unity.
18. It is our belief that if Sardar Patel was made the first PM of India there would not have been J&K problem: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha.
19. If Sardar Patel was the first PM, the state of our villages would have been far better than what it is today.
20. What cannot be wronged however is that it is Sardar Patel who, as Home Minister, ensured princely states were integrated with India. Sardar Patel was part of Congress but I am amazed that the party only remembers him when there is an election in Gujarat. Otherwise, they have only ignored him, he was sidelined.

PM Modi addresses Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks on President's address. This was a special election. After decades, a government was elected back to power with such a large mandate. These elections were contested by the country's people, not the parties. People themselves made sure that the government's words and actions reach every corner. It's my good fortune that I could meet people from every counter.

Here are the highlights of the PM Modi speech:

1. There's a limit to pride. Congress losing doesn't mean India has lost. Did India lose the election in Raebareli and Wayanand? Did India lose in Amethi too?
2. It hurts me to see parties insulting our voters, our farmers. To say, our farmers sold their soul for Rs 2000, that is shameful!
3. By saying farmers sold themselves just because of Rs 2,000 scheme is an insult to farmers. I am shocked, even media was abused, it was said elections were won because of the media. What do such ppl mean? That media is on sale? Does same logic apply to Tamil Nadu and Kerala?
4. Do our friends in the Congress Party feel if they do not win, India does not win? Are India and the Congress Party the same thing? No, they are not. Important to respect our electoral process and democracy.
5. I was saddened when some leaders said- the BJP and allies won the elections but the nation lost, democracy lost. I want to clearly say that such statements are unfortunate.  Why question the wisdom of voters?
6. Some people kept raising the EVM issue in this House. I want to tell them there was a time when we had just 2 MPs in Parliament. People made fun of us. But, we worked harder and won trust of people. We did not make excuses and blame polling booth.
7. The first discussion on EVM began in 1977. The first application of the EVM was in 1988.
8. There have been so many elections with EVMs and parties that are present in the Rajya Sabha have got opportunities to govern in different states after elections were held through EVMs. Then, why question EVMs today?
9. Election Commission had invited parties on the issue of EVMs but just two parties accepted- CPI and NCP. I appreciate them for going to EC to learn more about the issue. But, why did the rest of the parties questioning the EVMs not even bother to go, they should answer.
10. Congress can't digest wins and can't accept defeats.
11. This same attitude is visible when it comes to discussing 'One Nation, One Election.' Yes, some may not like this idea or have views on this. But, it is important to present these ideas and have discussions on this.
12. Odisha is an excellent example of maturity of voters in India. BJD was voted into power in Assembly elections while BJP at national level.
13. Now they are slamming New India. Do they want old India back? Old India where cabinet decisions were torn in press meets, old India where Navy was used for personal trips, old India where numerous scams existed, old India which supported tukde tukde gang?
14. The lynching in Jharkhand has pained me. It has saddened others too.But, some here in the Rajya Sabha are calling Jharkhand a hub of lynching. Is this fair? Why are they insulting a whole state? None of us have the right to insult the state of Jharkhand
15. I think Azad sahab (Ghulam Nabi Azad) is having blurred vision, maybe he is seeing everything from political spectacles. Ghalib said something for such people "ta umr Ghalib ye bhool karta raha, dhool chehre pe thi, aaina saaf karta raha"
16. I am sure there is no one in this house who will not like India to be part of the 5 trillion-dollar economy club. Please gives us constructive suggestions, we are open to all suggestions, we don't believe only we have all the intellect.
17. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a Congress leader; party members should at least go once to pay respect to him at the Statue of Unity.
18. It is our belief that if Sardar Patel was made the first PM of India there would not have been J&K problem: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha.
19. If Sardar Patel was the first PM, the state of our villages would have been far better than what it is today.
20. What cannot be wronged however is that it is Sardar Patel who, as Home Minister, ensured princely states were integrated with India. Sardar Patel was part of Congress but I am amazed that the party only remembers him when there is an election in Gujarat. Otherwise, they have only ignored him, he was sidelined.